Everyone loves a perfectly ripe avocado, a tender yet firm avocado that maintains its shape even after slicing. That’s what I picked from the store earlier yesterday for some guacamole. I used half of it and left the other half sitting around for long. Upon examining it today, it felt all mushy and overripe. It had this brown discoloration, and I wondered,” can you eat an overripe avocado?”.
Well, yes! An overripe avocado is very edible as long as it has no mold growth on it. It might not look appetizing, especially if the flesh has started browning, but it doesn’t have to be thrown away. Avocadoes are expensive fruits that cost you some bucks, and you wouldn’t want to waste them.
When can you eat an overripe avocado?
Now that we understand that you can eat an overripe avocado, we are left to wonder when you can eat it. So overripe avocadoes turn brown and black to further extents. Once it attains the black color will start turning all mushy and consuming such would lead to health problems.
Avocadoes can be mildly overripe or extremely overripe. The chances of a mildly overripe avocado making you sick after eating it are close to zero. This is because the avocado has lower sugar concentrations that your stomach can easily digest.
On the other hand, a significantly overripe avocado contains a higher sugar concentration. Once consumed, the sugars tend to be hard to digest, causing a buildup of gas in your digestive system. Other than that, an extremely overripe avocado might bring other problems like nausea and vomiting.
The color of your avocado can also help you determine whether you can eat it or not. If you notice your avocado starting to turn brown, just a slight tint of brown color, yet it is not ripe enough, then eating it could cost you stomach upsets. If the brown spots are in a much riper avocado, there is less risk of stomach upset. Why? Because it has had some pretty good time for sugars to develop.
Some overripe avocadoes tend to have molds on them, usually white or greyish; if your overripe avocado is mold-free, then consuming it won’t do any harm. If there are molds on the avocado, it means it is inedible and should throw away.
Are overripe avocados safe to eat?
Overripe avocados are not great for your health but are safe if consumed in moderation. They do not cause any harm unless if rotten. One way to determine whether that avocado is safe to eat is by assessing its appearance and tasting it.
If there are molds on the avocado, whether outside or inside, it only means that the avocado is not safe to eat. You wouldn’t want to munch into something that you well know will make you sick. Smelling onto these mold growths can cost breathing problems for persons with allergies.
Can overripe avocado make you sick?
Yes. Overripe avocados can affect your health. The symptoms manifestation, however, will depend on your immunity. Persons with low immunity might experience severe symptoms like vomiting, which could lead to dehydration problems. Either way, whether with a robust immune system or not, eating overripe avocadoes can irritate your digestive system. Mold growths on overripe avocados, if smelt, may also cause breathing problems for those with allergies. Severe respiratory problems might require emergency medical examinations.
Important Tips to Eating Overripe Avocado
1. How to tell if my avocado is overripe?
An avocado’s color doesn’t determine whether it is overripe or not. This is what tells:
Rancid smell
A chemical odor in your avocado is an indication that it has over-ripened. It usually happens when oxygen and microbes break down the unsaturated fats in the avocado. That horrid smell is emitted when harmful compounds form.
A soft skin
With your palm, squeeze the avocado gently without using fingers as they may leave dents. If the skin is soft and leaves dents, then it is overripe.
Brown color
The brown color on the inside flesh of an avocado is an indication it has over ripened. If the brown color is in patches only, you can remove them and eat the remaining parts. If the color covers the whole flesh, you have no other option than to toss it in the bin.
Mold
An overripe avocado will have visible growth of mold either on the exterior or in its interior. If the avocado has molds on the exterior, then there are chances of the decay getting in the insides.
2. What do I do with overripe avocadoes?
You do not have to throw away those overripe avocadoes. Why waste it by throwing it in the bin when it could serve another purpose anyway? That overripe avocado can:
Make a face mask
Avocado is perfect for the skin; it is rich in vitamin E and potassium, coupled with other nourishing and moisturizing nutrients. It reduces eczema and acne significantly. You can add some honey to the avocado since it’s packed with antioxidants. Dry skins work best with this face mask. So how do you make it?
Ingredients
- 1 tsp lemon/ orange juice
- 1 tsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp oats
- 1 egg white
- ½ overripe avocado
- 1 tbsp raw honey
Directions
- Mash the overripe avocado in a bowl
- Add the olive oil, honey, lemon juice, oats, egg white, orange juice into the bowl.
- Mix the ingredients well.
- Apply it on your face.
- Leave it to sit for 15 minutes, then wash it off.
Making hair mask
Brittle hair? Then you can make an avocado egg hair mask to strengthen it. Avocados vitamin A, C, D E, and B6 offer protection to your hair. Lavender oil will help keep dandruff at bay. You, however, should not wash your hair with warm or hot water as this cooks the egg and makes it stick in your hair, gross!
All you will do is:
Ingredients
- ½ overripe avocado
- 1 egg yolk
- Lavender oil
Directions
- Mix the avocado with egg yolk and some lavender oil well. You can mash to combine the ingredients or blend in a processor. Blending yields a smoother mixture.
- You can then apply it to your hair.
- After that, rinse the hair with some conditioner and shampoo and leave it to dry.
3. Can I incorporate overripe avocadoes in my recipes?
Yes! Some great ways you can use that overripe avocado is to:
- Make some avocado brownies,
- making an avocado smoothie,
- add them into scrambled eggs
- making cookies
- making truffles
- An avocado ranch salad dressing
- Creamy pasta sauce
4. Can I eat an avocado that has turned brown?
Yes. However, the taste might not be as great as that of fresh avocado. Brown patches might have a bitter taste that you wouldn’t love.
Conclusion
The question as to whether or not you can eat an overripe avocado has been answered. As long as it has not rotted, then it’s safe to consume it. The good thing is that even though you might not be able to eat it, you can still use it in making a face or hair mask.
