A wise dad has revealed a surefire trick to keeping your avocados ripe for four weeks straight — but not everyone agrees with this controversial method.
Reamonn, from Dublin, placed a ripe avocado in water in an airtight container and left it in the fridge for four weeks.
When he cut the fruit a month later, it was still perfectly ripe and ready to eat.
“I never thought it would work, but the avocado is fresh and ripe. I am converted!’ he wrote, with many saying they are doing the same.
However, general information on human pathogens suggests that hacking is not safe as it could create an environment for harmful bacteria to grow and lead to health consequences.
A wise dad has revealed a foolproof trick to keeping your avocados perfectly ripe for four weeks straight – but not everyone agrees with this controversial method.
Unlike common bacteria, residual human pathogens, including listeria and salmonella, thrive in the refrigerator and freezer.
Listeria and salmonella are different types of food poisoning that can have adverse health effects.
According to a study conducted by the Food Poisoning Diary in America, immersing a whole avocado in water is also not safe.
“Furthermore, research by FDA scientists has shown that Listeria monocytogenes has the potential to infiltrate and internalize into the pulp of avocados when immersed in refrigerated tanks within 15 days during the refrigerated storage.
“In this case, even superficial disinfection of the avocado skin before slicing it would not be able to remove the contamination.”
To prevent bacteria from growing on the climacteric fruit, it is best to avoid storing it in water or storing it in the refrigerator for more than a few days.
A trick of immersing whole or cut avocados in water and storing them in the fridge has gone viral on social media.
Despite the various possible issues, many have claimed that they have been using the hack for “years” without any negative health impact.
“It really works. I’ve been doing this for years. You can also freeze them whole,” one mum revealed.
“I only eat half of my avocados at a time. The rest goes in a container filled with water in the fridge,” another wrote.
“My mum taught me this trick and I’ve never forgotten it,” said a third.
