Know the Variety
The first step to choosing an avocado is to know the variety. No two avocados are the same. There are differences in color, shape, size and fruit texture depending on the variety.
More often than not your local grocery store will have Hass avocados. This has mostly to do with the harvest season. Different avocado varieties have different harvesting seasons depending on where they’re grown.
For example, to name a few:
- Pinkerton avocados are harvested in early winter to spring.
- Fuerte avocados are harvested late fall through spring.
- Hass and Lamb avocados can be harvested year round.
Since the hass variety can be harvested all year round and because they ship well most grocery stores supply this variety. This variety is small enough where half of the Hass is a good single portion size. Additionally, they have a nice smooth texture. Since the texture is so smooth we prefer this variety for making avocado roses.
Examine the Color
Hass avocados are ripe when the skin has turned a dark green almost purple color. If the avocado is black, it is for sure over ripe.
Feel the Firmness
Gently grasp the avocado in your hand and feel if the avocado is very firm or nice and soft. If slightly soft, it’s at the ideal ripeness! It’s best to avoid avocados that are easily bruised aka too soft. Choose this avocado.
If you have already purchased your avocado, and it is under ripe, that’s ok. Simply allow a couple more days for the avocado to ripen. A perfectly ripe avocado will not only give amazing flavor but also flexibility to become a lovely rose.
Check under the stem
The next step is to check under the stem. Most of the time when purchasing an avocado there will be a little stem coming out from the top of the fruit. Remove the stem and look at the color underneath.
- If the color is green the avocados ripe!
- If the color is brown the avocado is overripe.
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Peace,
Luna & Nate
