Just The Tip: How To Pick A Ripe Avocado

In case you haven’t noticed, avocado is having a moment.

Avocados have always been awesome (duh), but God knows #avocadotoast has gone viral in the past couple years, and it’s only picking up steam. Those of you that know me are aware that I’m all kinds of down with the magical buttery fruit (yes, avocado is a fruit), and I consume a mildly ridiculous amount of it. I’m talking at least half an avocado a day, peeps, and that is a very conservative estimate.

I’m okay with my avocado habit given the fruit’s nutritional benefits (healthy fats, and antioxidants, and fiber, oh my!), and since I’m convinced that it’s making my hair shinier and skin glowier (?), I’m going to stick with it. That said, avocados ain’t cheap, and nothing is more devastating than giddily slicing into one for your toast/guac/etc., only to discover that it’s actually sad and brown on the inside.

It’s easy to know if your avocado is under-ripe (because it’s rock hard), but how do you know if it’s slightly over-ripe?? The most popular method for determining ripeness is the squeeze test—you know, you sort of gently squeeze the avocado, and if it’s firm with a little bit of give, you decide you’re good to go and take it home with you—yet sometimes a seemingly perfect avocado has a marbled, brownish interior. BLERGH.

And that, friends, is why you need this week’s Just The Tip wisdom. I’m demonstrating the simplest of simple hacks to ensure you pick perfect green avocados every single time. Hallelujah!

In case you need something to do with all your avocados after you run to the store to test this tip, I’ve put together a handy little roundup below. (Oh, and if you make the tacos, you should also make margaritas. It’s Friday.)

Domesticate ME!’s Favorite Avocado Recipes:

Avocado Toast with Spicy Maple Bacon and Scrambled Eggs. Tried and true.

Avocado Toast with Charred Tomatoes and Garlic Shrimp. For the days when you’re feeling all kinds of fancy but still don’t want to spend more than 20 minutes on your meal.

Summer Kale Salad with Strawberries and Avocado. This salad has the perfect balance of tart, sweet and creamy components. More importantly, it will make you smarter and prettier. (This is a general fact about all kale salads.)

Crispy Fish Tacos with Avocado Salsa Verde. Everything about these tacos is glorious, but the avocado salsa verde really steals the show. Trust me on this one. (p.s. There will be leftover salsa verde from the tacos which you can then put on eggs, chicken, salads etc. WHOOP.)

Bacon-Queso Guacamole. MIC DROP.

Chipotle Sweet Potatoes with Pomegranate-Pistachio Guacamole. Sweet and savory superfood perfection.

The Best Tropical Green Smoothie. Avocado in your smoothie? Yes. The flavor is undetectable, but the creaminess is sublime.

Superfood Chocolate Avocado Pudding. Be not afraid, friends! Avocado makes for a super creamy, nutrient packed pudding base. And I swear on Logan’s life it doesn’t taste like chocolate guacamole.