Avocados are a delicious and nutritious addition to various dishes and smoothies. However, you might have noticed brown spots on your avocado and wondered if they are safe to eat. In this article, we’ll discuss the causes of brown spots in avocados, whether they are safe to consume, and how to prevent and remove them. Additionally, we’ll explore other fruits that suffer from similar issues and answer some frequently asked questions about avocados.
Avocados are a healthy fruit (Yes, it’s a fruit, deal with it!) that is known for its health benefits and delicious flavor. However, one thing that you may notice about them is the fact that they will sometimes have brown spots on the flesh of the fruit.
You might be wondering what these dark spots are from or if there is anything wrong with your avocado. Well, I’m here to answer those questions. Let’s take a look at how to tell whether these spots are safe to consume or not as well as why they occur in some avocados in the first place.
These dark marks can be found on the outside and inside of an avocado. What causes these brown spots? And is it safe for us to consume them? In this article, we will answer all of your questions and more!
Yes, you can eat brown spots in avocado. Dark spots are typically harmless and just an aesthetic flaw. They usually come from the avocado being stored too long and start growing naturally on its skin. If the smell and the taste are ok, then they are safe to eat.
Keeping your avocados refrigerated will prevent these dark brown spots from forming as much or at all.
Understanding Brown Spots in Avocado
The brown spots on an avocado are typically harmless. Keep in mind the riper your avocados get, the more often you will experience these dark spots. On rare occasions, they may indicate bruising or rotting inside the fruit’s flesh, but if they’re only on the external peel surfaces, not on parts of or inside where there might be spoilage, then those spots should be safe to eat as long as they don’t taste nasty and rotten.
You can also cut them away while scooping out sections of perfectly healthy-looking fruit beneath them.
Avocados can go bad. Extremely ripe avocado, for example, this type of avocado has been left at room temperature for the past couple of days. Soft and brown spots will usually form on the outside skin.
If you cut into this type of avocado, the inside will have dark spots and be soft and mushy with a funky smell. Remember to refrigerate avocados when you receive them and look out for these signs of a ripe avocado.
Removing Brown Spots from Avocado
The easiest way to remove these dark brown spots from avocado is to peel off the skin of the avocado and then slice them out. This will ensure that you’re getting the maximum amount of ripe avocado.
Another way you can remove these brown spots is by using a spoon or fork to scoop out the flesh from beneath them.
Keep in mind that brown spots do not always indicate a spoiled avocado, so if the smell and taste are still ok then you can eat these avocados with dark spots on them.
Preventing Brown Spots in Avocados
You can prevent brown spots in avocados by storing your avocados in the refrigerator. You can also freeze avocados and they will last about six months before getting brown spots.
Make sure to keep them away from other fruits that emit ethylene gas such as apples, bananas, pears, kiwi fruit, and tomatoes which can cause them to ripen too quickly.
Another great way is to cut the avocado in half, remove the pit and scoop out the flesh. Place each half of the avocado on a separate plate or dish then sprinkle with lemon juice.
Cover both halves with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two days before slicing or dicing as needed when ready to use.
And last but not least, you can prevent brown spots in avocado by brushing it with oil. This will create a barrier that will protect the flesh of an avocado from oxygen, and you should be able to store it for 1-2 days before consuming it.
Dealing with Black Spots on Avocado
Sometimes, there will be black spots on the outside of an avocado. What are the black spots on the outside of avocado and what causes them?
The black spots that you see on avocados are caused by a fungus called anthracnose. The spores from this fungus settle in moist or wet environments, so they may be more prevalent during rainy seasons or when leaves around your fruit have been recently rained on.
This is why it’s crucial to keep your hands clean when handling any products, but especially fresh fruits like avocados.
Keep in mind that the black spots are not caused by bruising or rotting because they form on both sides of the avocado and can be found all over its surface. These fungi also don’t affect the taste or quality of the fruit inside which is why it’s still safe to eat a brown spot avocado once you remove any affected parts from its skin.
Preventing Black Spots on Avocados
To avoid getting anthracnose spores onto your fresh produce like avocados, always thoroughly wash your hands before handling them as well as using gloves when possible (especially if working with multiple fruits).
Storing Avocados for Extended Freshness
Avocados are best consumed within one or two days after buying them because they can rot easily if left out at room temperature too long.
One effective way of prolonging their freshness is by slicing off both ends (with as little flesh removed from its middle as possible) before wrapping tightly with plastic wrap and placing inside a sealed container, this method works great for other products like strawberries, apples, bananas, etc).
Can An Avocado Be Too Ripe?
Avocados can be too ripe, so it is best to eat an avocado once it becomes dark green in color. Brown spots in avocados are not a sign of spoilage and you do not have to discard the avocados with brown spots if they are still firm.
How To Soften The Avocado?
Sometimes, avocado is just too hard to cut. It’s not ripe enough, and the flesh can’t be scooped out with a spoon.
The best method to soften an avocado is to use a paper bag and put the avocado in it. Roll up and close, place it on your kitchen counter out of sunlight, and let it sit for a day or two.
The brown paper bag trick is an old-school tip that has been around for years, but how does it work? The answer: ethylene gas. Avocados produce this type of gas which can be released slowly – causing avocados to ripen at their own pace – or sped up by putting them in containers (a paper bag works best) that concentrate the gas. When you use the paper bag technique, avocado will usually be ready in about four days, or less if keeping track daily helps indicate progress.
Is It Safe to Eat Avocado Seeds?
It’s not recommended to eat avocado seeds.
A lot of people think that you can eat the whole fruit, including the seed or pit at its center. But this is not true.
The skin and seed need to be removed before eating it because they’re difficult to digest, with a bitter flavor that’s unpleasant for many people.
Final Thoughts on Avocado Brown Spots
Brown spots in avocado are safe to eat. This is because they’re just harmless brown patches on the skin that come from being exposed to air and natural oxidation.
Avocados should be consumed as soon as possible after cutting or buying, but if you do have a brown spot in your avocado and want to save it for later, store it separately with plastic wrap.
I hope this article answered all of your questions about the brown spots in avocados and that you learned something new today!
