Many people don’t think twice about how they store their avocado slices, but taking two minutes to store them properly can save you a lot of money on your food shop
Avocados, the creamy delight that goes well with a slice of toast, can quickly turn from a breakfast treat into a slimy brown disappointment. Many simply chuck slices of avocado into the fridge without a second thought, but taking a mere two minutes to store them correctly can end up saving you a tidy sum on your grocery run.
These fruits often meet an untimely demise due to oxidation – the process where the inside of avocados, once exposed to oxygen, allows enzymes to deteriorate the flesh. However, culinary maestro and Your Friend in the Kitchen founder Regina Mitchell has shared a nifty trick to prolong their shelf life; all you need is a dash of lemon juice.
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She stated: “Lemon or any citrus juice slows oxidation, so putting lemon juice on the avocado can be helpful. It just may change the taste a little bit. Storing your halved avocado face down on a plate will also help stop any oxidation.”
The secret behind lemon juice’s salvaging capabilities lies in citric acid – its natural preservative that reduces the pH levels of the enzymes, thereby stymieing their interaction with oxygen.
This not only delays the unsightly browning but the moisture from the lemon juice forms a protective barrier, which means your avocados could stay greener for longer, reports the Express.
When it comes to proper avocado storage, make that extra effort to wrap your avocado piece snugly in cling film, creating another layer of defence against the pesky air, then pop it in the refrigerator to keep it fresh.
If you’re keen on taking extra precautions, consider placing your avocado slice on a plate and wrapping it in cling film to prevent air exposure.
This method will ensure your avocado slices remain vibrant, creamy, and fresh for a few days longer, preventing any wastage of food left in your fridge.
But is there a wrong way to store avocados? Given their soft and porous nature, avocados submerged in water tend to weaken and become a breeding ground for bacteria due to the moisture.
Both air and bacteria can easily penetrate the avocado, leading to toxicity, mould, and spoilage, so it’s best to steer clear of this storage method.
Lemon juice, however, can effectively preserve your avocados, ensuring they stay fresh and safe for fridge storage without any concerns.
Alternatively, if you prefer, you can also store avocado slices with olive oil, which serves as a natural and efficient means of proper storage.