How I keep my fresh avocado perfectly ripe for four weeks – but there’s a risk
A clever dad has unveiled a foolproof hack to keep your avocados ripe for four weeks straight, but not everyone agrees with the controversial method.
Reamonn from Dublin placed a ripe avocado in water in an airtight container and left it in the refrigerator for four weeks.
When he cut up the fruit a month later, it was still perfectly ripe and ready to eat.
‘I never thought this would work, but the avocado is fresh and ripe. I’m converted!’ he wrote, with many saying they do the same.
However, general information about human pathogens suggests that the hack is not safe, as it can create an environment for harmful bacteria to grow and lead to health consequences.
A clever dad has unveiled a foolproof hack to keep your avocados perfectly ripe for four weeks – but not everyone agrees with the controversial method
Unlike common bacteria, residual human pathogens — including listeria and salmonella — thrive in the refrigerator and freezer.
Both listeria and salmonella are different types of food poisoning that can have adverse health effects.
This is according to a study conducted by the Journal of Food Poisoning in America, submerging an entire avocado in water is also not safe.
In addition, research conducted by FDA scientists has shown that Listeria monocytogenes has the potential to infiltrate within 15 days during refrigerated storage and lodge itself in the pulp of avocados when submerged in refrigerated dump tanks.
“In this case, even disinfecting the skin of the avocado before cutting would not remove the contamination.”
To prevent bacteria from growing on the climacteric fruit, it is best not to store it in water or refrigerate it for more than a few days.
A trick involving dipping whole or sliced avocados in water and keeping them in the fridge has gone viral on social media
Despite the various potential problems, many claimed to have been using the hack for “years” with no negative health consequences.
‘It certainly works. I’ve been doing this for years. You can also freeze them whole,” one mother revealed.
“I only eat half my avocados at a time, the rest just goes in a container full of water in the fridge,” another wrote.
“My mom taught me this hack and I’ve never forgotten it,” says a third.