How to Test for Avocado Ripeness

Avocados don't ripen fully on the tree. Their flesh softens and becomes ready for use in the days following harvest. An avocado picked too early won't fully ripen or develop its best flavor because it hasn't produced the necessary oils for proper maturing. Commercial growers test the avocado fruit's oil content before harvesting an entire tree, but home growers usually don't have the means for the same type of testing. Testing home produced avocados requires a preharvest of small sampling before harvesting the entire crop.

Paper bag
Knife

Instructions

- 1
  Pick two to three avocados when the fruit has developed its full-green or greenish-black color and has reached full size. Maturity time depends on the variety with Hass types typically ripening in midwinter, Mexican varieties in summer and hybrids ripening in fall.
- 2
  Place the avocados in a paper bag. Fold the top of the bag loosely over, so that some air circulates into the bag.
- 3
  Keep the avocados at room temperature for seven to 10 days or until they begin softening. The avocados are ripe once they give slightly when you apply gentle pressure to them.
- 4
  Cut the avocado and perform a taste test. The avocados are ripe and the rest are ready for harvest if the fruit softens and develops a good flavor and texture after ripening.

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