How to Pick the Perfect Avocado—and How to Ripen One Quickly

Smooth and creamy (yet sliceable!), avocados can be enjoyed in everything from morning smoothies and citrusy salads to decadent desserts and refreshing salsas. But as easy as this wholesome superfood is to eat, shopping for the perfect avocado isn't always a cinch. When looking for an avocado at the grocery store, you'll want one that yields to gentle pressure and is dark green in color. But if you've chosen an underripe avocado, there is a way to ripen it quickly.

How to Tell If an Avocado Is Ripe—and Pick the Right One

Whether you want to pick a ripe-right-now avocado or one you plan to eat in a few days, understanding the signs associated with each stage of ripeness will help you choose the right one. To do so, focus on the way the avocado feels and looks. You may want to choose Haas avocados over any other variety, as they give a better idea of what is going on beneath the skin than other varieties do.

Underripe

An underripe Haas avocado will range from bright to mid-green in color and have a relatively smooth peel. It will feel very firm and not give at all when gently pressed. If you don't need to use the avocado for another three to five days, then buy avocados like this, set them on your counter, and wait it out.

Just About Ripe

Avocados that are just about ripe will vary a little in color, but are usually dark green with flecks of black here and there. The skin will have a slightly bumpier texture than underripe avocados, and it will feel softer in your hand than an underripe avocado; it still won't give to gentle pressure. Choose these if you plan to eat them within a day or two.

Perfectly Ripe

A ready-to-eat avocado will range from very dark green to dark brown to eggplant purple, and the skin will be the bumpiest texture yet. It will yield to gentle pressure, but shouldn't feel mushy or leave any indentations. If you find an avocado with these indicators, it's go-time: Plan to eat it the same day.

Overripe

An overripe avocado will be very dark and may show signs of wear and tear, like deep indentations and black bruising. The peel will be bumpy and it will feel mushy when gentle pressure is applied. Avoid these unless they are on super sale and you have a smoothie habit to appease.

How to Ripen an Avocado Quickly

To ripen an avocado quickly, place it in a brown paper bag along with another ethylene-producing fruit like a banana or apple. Ethylene is a naturally occurring gas that causes certain fruits to ripen. The additional fruit doubles down on gas production, and the bag traps it. With this method, you will be able to ripen a firm avocado in a day or two.

How to Slow Down Avocado Ripening

If you bought perfectly ripe avocados, but you're not ready to use them, slow down the maturation process by storing them in the refrigerator. The avocados should be fully ripe before you move them from counter to refrigerator, though; doing so will halt the ripening process.

How to Store Half an Avocado

If you only end up using half of an avocado for your morning toast, store the other half by lightly coating the surface with cooking spray then wrapping it with plastic wrap. The oil forms an extra-protective layer over the fruit, which slows down browning caused by air exposure. You can also freeze avocados—but be warned, the texture will not be good for anything other than smoothies.