Avocados are a beloved kitchen staple, perfect for everything from salads to sandwiches. But they have one major drawback: they turn brown incredibly fast once cut open. It’s a race against time to consume them before they become unappetizing. If you’re tired of the rapid browning ruining your avocado experience, we have one unbeatable kitchen hack that will help you keep your avocados green for an extended period.
The Lemon Juice Method: A Citrus Game-Changer
The secret to elongating your avocado’s shelf life lies in a simple ingredient you probably already have in your kitchen—lemon juice. When you cut open an avocado, simply brush the exposed flesh with a thin layer of lemon juice. What makes this method so effective is the citric acid in lemon juice. This acid inhibits the enzymatic reaction responsible for turning your avocado brown, thereby preserving its green hue.
The beauty of this hack isn’t just its effectiveness, but also its simplicity. You don’t need any specialized tools or ingredients, just a lemon and a brush. And if you’re planning to mash your avocado for guacamole or a spread, the lemon juice adds a hint of zest, enhancing the overall flavor. Typically, this trick can keep your avocado fresh for at least an additional day, sometimes even longer depending on the avocado’s initial ripeness.