Ripening an avocado can be a waiting game, but there’s a way to speed up the process significantly if you need that perfect, creamy texture right away.
Whether you're planning guacamole, adding avocado slices to your toast, or preparing a salad, waiting days for an avocado to ripen can be frustrating. Luckily, with a simple kitchen hack, you can ripen an avocado in just 10 minutes.
The trick involves using your oven and aluminum foil. Start by preheating your oven to 200°F (93°C). While the oven heats up, wrap your unripe avocado tightly in aluminum foil.
This step is crucial as the foil helps trap the ethylene gas that avocados naturally release. Ethylene is a plant hormone that triggers the ripening process, and by concentrating it around the fruit, you can accelerate the process.
Place the wrapped avocado on a baking sheet and put it in the oven. Let it heat for 10 minutes, but keep an eye on it to ensure it doesn’t overheat. The gentle warmth from the oven boosts the production of ethylene gas, helping the fruit ripen faster.
Once the 10 minutes are up, carefully remove the avocado from the oven using oven mitts, as it will be hot. Allow it to cool to room temperature before unwrapping it. For best results, you can place the avocado in the refrigerator for a few minutes to cool it down faster.
Once it's cooled, the avocado should feel softer to the touch and be much closer to the ideal ripeness. You can slice it open to check its progress. If it’s not quite ripe enough, you can repeat the process for another few minutes.
This method is a lifesaver in a pinch, but it’s worth noting that it might not yield the exact same flavor or texture as naturally ripened avocados. Avocados that ripen slowly over time tend to develop a slightly richer taste, but this quick method works well when time is of the essence.