A surprisingly large number of people have fallen in love with avocados and avocado dishes over the years, but not everyone knows when to pick them to get the best flavor and texture. The timing of picking an avocado off the tree is vital to get the most out of it and get a great tasting end product.
The first rule of thumb when it comes to knowing when to pick an avocado off a tree is paying attention to its color. An avocado that has already ripened off the tree should be a dark purple or black color. The flesh of the fruit should give when gently pressed with a finger, but it shouldn’t be too soft. An unripe avocado will be a light green, and a ripe avocado should be a slightly darker green.
Expert advice from horticulturalists also suggests paying attention to the skin. A ripe avocado’s skin should be easy to remove from the fruit, but if it seems too hard to peel off, then it’s probably unripe. The shape is also important – an avocado will be the sweetest if its shape is slightly squished.
The most reliable way to check whether or not an avocado is ripe is by cutting it open. If the avocado’s flesh is a light green, it is unripe; however, if it’s a bright yellow-green color on the inside, then it is almost certainly ripe. According to some Chefs, the perfect avocado has a dark green flesh on the outside and a bright yellow flesh on the inside.
Those looking to use avocados for their culinary endeavors can also try testing ripeness over time as opposed to checking it all at once. Place an avocado in a cool, dry place, like a kitchen shelf or pantry, and wait a few days. If the avocado is still hard, then it’s unripe and can’t be eaten yet. If the avocado is beginning to get softer, then it is almost certainly ripe and can be eaten.
The aforementioned techniques are often used to determine the ripeness of a single avocado, but what about if you have a surplus of them? If you have several avocados to pick and don’t know when to do it, experts suggest picking a few of them at different stages of ripening. This way, some can be used immediately and the rest can be used in the future when they are fully ripe.
Store-bought avocados, however, don’t require nearly as much effort as those picked fresh from the tree. Store-bought avocados should still have the same parameters, but they can often be a bit softer due to the ripening process, which is normally accelerated with ethylene gas before it hits the market. Nevertheless, the same strategy applies -look for dark purple and black avocados that give slightly when pressed with a finger.
Peruvian Avocado Varieties
Avocado enthusiasts might already recognize the advantages of Peruvian avocados, but engaging in their picking process requires special care. As with any other variety, paying attention to the color and shape is a must. Peruvian avocados are characterized by their wide, round shape and deep purple or black color – they are also firmer than other avocados, making them an ideal candidate for dishes that require the avocados to remain in large chunks.
These avocados range from sweet to tart flavors and are usually known for their smooth, buttery texture. As such, many commercial farmers prefer to use Peruvian avocados for salads, sandwiches, and other dishes that require less mashing or pureeing. Those interested in picking one of these gems must understand that the unripe avocados are hard to the touch, but will get softer as days go by. Since Peruvian avocados ripen slower than other varieties, checking them regularly is a must.
Moreover, Peruvian avocados are popular due to their high fat content and their agreeable flavor. To achieve the highest fat content, they need to be located at the top of the tree, as the lower-hanging fruit will have a higher water content. Furthermore, Picking Peruvian avocados in this way will yield the most potent flavor possible.
Different parts of the tree tend to have different ripening strengths, so trying to pick avocados from different branches – taking into account the fruit’s shade, size, and color – can be beneficial to a fruit enthusiast. Peruvian avocados do not ripen easily once they’re picked, so it is important to ensure that each one of them is fully ripened before being transported to the market.
In conclusion, picking the perfect avocado is a delicate process that requires experience. There are many factors that must be taken into account depending on the variety of the fruit, and knowing which one is ripe can be a challenge without appropriate knowledge. Picking the perfect avocado is a matter of trial and error, so perseverance and patience are key to success.
Where to Find Avocados
A great deal of the world’s avocados are available in supermarkets throughout the United States, with estimates claiming that around 80% of the country’s avocados are imported from Mexico. However, it is also possible to find avocados in other places in the US, such as California and Florida.
It is important to note that, depending on the season, the avocados available in each place of the US may differ. For instance, one might find that California avocados are in high demand during the summer season. Additionally, fresh avocados can also be found in some local farmers’ markets, although their supply might be limited compared to big supermarkets.
The internet is also a great resource to find avocados. Avocados are widely available online, with websites such as Amazon offering a wide selection at discounted prices. In terms of the quality of the avocados, they often tend to be slightly different from store-bought avocados, due to their ripeness, size, and shape.
Furthermore, some suppliers will offer avocados that have been picked from the tree. Customers can usually specify the level of ripeness they require, and the supplier will pick the avocados accordingly. This method is ideal for those who want to make sure they get the freshest and best-looking avocados possible – given that they are willing to pay the extra cost.
Finally, one can also look for ‘pick-your-own-fruit’ farms, usually found in rural areas. These farms typically charge for their services, but customers can be sure that the avocados they pick are freshly-picked and of excellent quality. Although these farms may not be easily accessible, they are a great option for those looking to pick the perfect avocado.
How to Care for an Avocado Tree
Avocado trees are a popular choice for residential gardens due to their ability to produce fruits that offer a unique way to spice up salads and other dishes. Hence, picking avocados off the tree requires taking into account the circumstances that the tree requires in order to stay healthy and produce top-notch avocados.
First and foremost, avocados require a lot of water to stay alive and fruitful. Depending on where the tree is located, it might require more water than usual. For instance, trees located in areas with hot weather might require more water than those located in mild weather environments. Moreover, avocados require more water during fruiting season.
Additionally, avocado trees require some fertilizer to make sure their growth does not slow down due to a lack of nutrients. The ideal fertilizer should be a slow-release one with adequate nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is also worth noting that phosphorus and potassium are essential to maximize the flavoring of the fruit, while nitrogen is important for the general well-being of the tree.
Taking care of the branches of an avocado tree is also a must. Pruning and trimming are essential throughout the year in order to remove diseased or dead branches, as well as to shape the tree into a desirable structure. Over-pruning is not used with avocados, so pruning should only be done when necessary.
Moreover, avocado trees require protection against a variety of pests. However, proper pest management can ensure that the tree remains healthy and fruitful. Common methods include spraying appropriate insecticides and fungicides, as well as introducing beneficial predators such as ladybirds and lacewings.
Finally, avocados require adequate propagation. The best method for this is typically to use artificial means, particularly for those looking for fast and effective results. These means usually involve graftingthe desired variety onto the rootstock. It is important to keep the plant in a warm environment and ensure that the grafting has been done correctly, otherwise the tree might not develop.
How to Cut an Avocado
This step-by-step guide provides an easy way to cut an avocado. Before starting, make sure to have a towel or oven mitten handy in order to have a firm grip on the avocado while cutting it.
1. Begin by cutting the avocado lengthwise around the seed, making sure that the blade of the knife goes deep enough to cut all the way through the outer skin but not through the seed.
2. Twist the two halves in opposite directions until they are far enough apart to set aside one of the halves.
3. Strike the seed with the blade of the knife until it is embedded in the seed.
4. Twist the knife slightly to dislodge the seed from the avocado.
5. Peel the skin off the avocado with your hands.
6. Slice the avocado lengthwise, and then crosswise.
7. Use a spoon to scoop out the avocado slices.
With this guide, anyone can easily master the art of cutting an avocado. Furthermore, when it comes to knowing when to pick an avocado off the tree, it is important to pay attention to the color, skin and shape of the fruit. Additionally, store-bought avocados provide a straightforward method to add these delicious fruits to any dish, but it is always better to pick them from the tree and make sure they are ripe for maximum deliciousness.
