From everyday snacking to unique artful dishes, avocados are a kitchen staple for many foodies – but what about when you’re faced with pesky mold on the outside?
Is eating still safe, or should you throw the trusty avocado out?
We have all the answers and must-know tips to help you tackle this tricky situation. In just a few moments, we’ll show you how easy it is to enjoy your favorite green fruit without worry. So stay tuned, and let’s get ready to explore why mold on avocados isn’t necessarily bad news!
Mold on avocado. Credit: canva
If you find mold on the outside of an avocado, you should discard the fruit. Please do not eat it. Though you may only see mold in one area, it can easily spread through the soft flesh.
This blog post will discuss whether eating is safe and what to do if you find mold on your avocado. We will also provide tips for preventing mold from forming in the first place!
Mold is a fungus that can grow on different surfaces, including food. There are thousands of kinds of mold, some of which can harm your health.
Mold on avocado: What does it look like?
Mold on the outside of an avocado can look like various things, including white, black, green, or blue. It can also be fuzzy or slimy in appearance.
Don’t sniff avocado with mold because you might breathe mold spores and get respiratory issues if you’re allergic.
Mold is an indication that the avocado is spoiled. Because the mold can spread through the soft flesh but may not be visible, you should remove the whole fruit.
Fresh avocado. Credit: canva
What to Do?
Is avocado mold dangerous? Is it safe to eat?
Yes, it is dangerous. And no, it is best not to eat it.
Although some molds are edible, many are not and are dangerous and have mycotoxins, some of the most toxic substances in existence, and they often kill part of your liver.
But fortunately, human livers can regenerate if the damage isn’t too severe. It’s still something to be wisely avoided.
What should you do?
First, you should discard the fruit. DO NOT EAT IT. Though you may only see mold in one area, it can easily spread through the soft flesh. Please don’t attempt to salvage it.
Second, you can clean the surface of the avocado with dish soap and cold water. Be sure to rinse the fruit thoroughly.
Third, you can prevent mold from forming on your avocado by storing it in a cool, dry place.
How to prevent mold
First, always select flawless avocado that is firm and free of blemishes.
Second, store the avocado in a cool, dry place. Do not refrigerate it until it is ripe.
Third, use a sharp knife to cut the avocado open. Avoid dicing or mashing the fruit with your hands, as this can increase the chances of mold and bacteria growth.
Fourth, discard any avocado with oxygen exposure for more than a few minutes.
Fifth, eat the riped avocados within a few days of purchasing them.
Sixth, use a moisture-proof container when storing the avocado.
Seventh, avoid over-ripening the fruit by refrigerating it when it is still green.
Eighth, never eat moldy food.
Mashed avocado. Credit: canva
When is an Avocado Gone Bad? The Signs
Can an avocado go bad?
Avocados are a pricey fruit; getting a good deal isn’t easy. But you were prepared when you saw one at the farmers’ market or your local grocery store.
You’ve acquired a lot of avos rather than the usual two or three, and you’re concerned that some won’t last long enough for you to consume them.
Can avocados go bad? Yes. An avocado can go bad if exposed to air, moisture, or heat for an extended time.
The signs that avocado is bad include brown spots on the skin, darkening of the flesh, and a sour smell. It is time to toss it out because the rich and creamy texture would no longer be present.
If you notice any of these signs, do not eat the fruit.
How can you tell if an avocado is bad?
Avocados don’t ripen once plucked from the tree, but the transformation is quick.
You have a narrow window of time — usually several days — before the fruit begins to decay after it has ripened.
Eating an avocado after the optimal consumption period probably will not give you the best texture and color, but flavor and nutrients tend to stay almost the same.
Here are the signs that avocado is no longer safe to eat:
Mold on the outside of the fruit
The entire fruit should be discarded since mold may spread through the soft flesh but not be entirely visible.
Decaying or soft flesh
When determining ripeness, use your palm to press the avocado softly. Don’t apply pressure with your fingers since this may bruise the fruit.
Unripe avocado – If it is firm and does not give, it is underripe.
Ripe avocado – It’s probably ripe and ready to eat if it gives a little, with green skin color.
Overripe avocados – If pressing leaves an indentation, it’s probably too ripe for slicing and will taste better mashed or juiced.
Spoiled avocado – If you press fruit that leaves a significant dent and the substance feels mushy, it’s probably beyond saving.
Rotten avocados – Additionally, if an avocado has signs of rot, such as a sunken area, or appears deflated before you squeeze it, it’s probably past its prime.
Brown or black spots on the skin
Avocados with brown, black, or dark spots, often called flesh discolorations, occur when the avocado has been exposed to cold temperatures for an extended time before it begins the ripening process.
A light-colored avocado is unripe, while a darker one indicates that the fruit is ripe.
Darker spots on the skin indicate that the avocado was stored in colder conditions, so it’s likely to be less flavorful.
Some avocados undergo distinct color changes as they ripen, particularly the Hass variety, accounting for about 80% of the world’s avocados consumed.
Flesh bruises can occur in transit or due to compression caused by excessive handling.
Never fear if you cut into a less-than-ideal avocado and notice those ugly black spots. You have to cut them out with your kitchen knife or spoon.
When avocados start to over-ripen late in the season due to their high oil content, they can also develop brown spots.
An off odor
Ripe avocados have a pleasant, sweet scent and flavor reminiscent of nuts. The fruit may acquire an unusual taste and fragrance as it spoils.
If the fruit has a sour taste or noxious odor, it is likely harmful bacteria spoilage and should be discarded.
The rotten chemical odor and taste might indicate that it is rancid. This rancid odor may occur when oxygen or microorganisms weaken or destroy the fruit’s unsaturated fat.
Rancidity in avocados can produce potentially deadly chemicals.
Dark, stringy flesh
A fresh avocado will smell lightly fruity inside and be a clean, light, or medium green color.
A decayed avocado has brown or black spots and a stringy texture throughout the flesh.
However, a brown avocado with an isolated brown spot might be caused by bruising rather than widespread spoilage, and it may be cut away.
Dark streaks in the flesh are another sign of rotting.
However, some avocados — particularly those picked from young trees — might have dark streaks even when not rotten. It’s OK to consume fruit that looks perfect otherwise and does not have an abnormal taste.
What Can You Do to Prevent an Avocado from Going Bad?
How long do avocados last?
Ripe avocados can be stored in the fridge for two to four days. If you’re not going to use an avocado immediately, keeping it in the refrigerator will slow the ripening process.
If you have cut avocados, you can wrap them in plastic wrap as tight as possible or store them in an airtight container and keep them in the fridge for one to two days. If you’ve squirted some lemon juice, it can last two or three days.
Can you freeze avocados? How to do it?
Yes, you can freeze avocados.
To freeze them, first cut the avocado in half and remove the avocado pits. Then, place the avocado halves in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze for two hours.
After two hours, remove the avocados from the baking sheet and place them in a freezer bag or container.
Avocados can be frozen for up to six months. When ready to use them, remove them from the freezer and let them thaw at room temperature.
Conclusion
If you find mold outside an avocado, it is probably best to discard it.
“Don’t try to salvage any part of a rancid, sour-smelling, or moldy avocado, as it can make you sick,” advises Healthline.
FAQs
When does avocado go bad?
Avocados go bad when they show signs of spoilage, such as the skin starting to brown or blacken, the flesh beginning to darken and change color, an off-odor detected, or the fruit having a sour noxious odor.
