Avocado, scientifically known as Persea Americana, is a nutritious fruit that is enjoyed around the world for its unique taste and health benefits. It is a versatile fruit that can be eaten on its own, added to a salad or sandwich, blended into a smoothie or used to make guacamole. If you are an avocado lover, you may have wondered whether avocados ripen in the sun or in the shade. In this article, we will explore this topic and provide you with the information you need to know.
What Causes Avocado Fruit to Ripen?
Before we answer the question of whether avocados ripen in sun or shade, let’s first understand what causes avocados to ripen. Like other fruits, avocados naturally produce a gas called ethylene as they mature, which triggers the ripening process. Ethylene is a natural hormone that aids in the fruit’s development by controlling various processes, including ripening, senescence (aging), and leaf abscission (leaf dropping). Understanding these avocado seed growing stages is important for those who want to grow their own avocado trees.
The amount of ethylene the avocado produces determines how quickly it ripens. As the avocado starts to ripen, it becomes soft and develops a rich, creamy texture. The green skin of the fruit also changes to a dark green or black color, depending on the variety.
Do Avocados Need Sunlight to Ripen?
So, do avocados ripen in the sun or shade? The simple answer is that they ripen off the tree, whether in sun or shade. Once an avocado has been harvested, it will naturally ripen as a result of the ethylene gas that it produces. It is essential to note that ripening of avocados does not require sunlight, but rather, it requires warmth and humidity. Do lemons need sunlight to grow? Yes, lemons need sunlight to grow. They need at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to produce fruit.
However, leaving the avocado fruit to ripen while still on the tree is not ideal because it results in inconsistency in the rate and quality of ripening. As the fruit matures on the tree, it is exposed to varying weather conditions, insects, and diseases, which can result in poor fruit quality.
When avocados ripen while still on the tree, it tends to ripen from the outside, making it difficult to determine if it is ripe until it is cut open. On the other hand, when avocados are harvested and allowed to ripen off the tree, they tend to ripen more evenly, making it easier to tell when they are ripe and ready to be eaten.
Factors that Affect Ripening of Avocado Fruits
While it is apparent that avocados ripen off the tree, several factors can affect the ripening process. These factors include:
Temperature
Temperature is a vital factor that affects the rate and quality of avocado ripening. Avocado fruits ripen optimally at temperatures between 15°C-20°C. At these temperatures, the fruit will ripen within a few days to a week.
However, temperatures above 25°C or below 10°C can affect the quality of the fruit. High temperatures cause the fruit to ripen quickly, resulting in a soft, mushy texture, while low temperatures cause the avocado to take longer to ripen and may cause the skin to turn black without developing the creamy texture.
Humidity
Avocado fruits require humidity levels of between 85% to 95% for optimal ripening. Too much humidity can result in the growth of molds and fungi, while too little humidity can cause the fruit to dry out and shrivel.
Exposure to Ethylene Gas
Exposure to ethylene gas can accelerate the ripening process of an avocado fruit. When avocado fruits are stored together with fruits that produce ethylene gas, such as bananas, they tend to ripen more quickly.
How to Ripen Avocado Fruits at Home
If you have purchased a firm unripe avocado, you can ripen it at home by following these simple steps:
Step 1: Place the Avocado in a Paper Bag
Place the unripe avocado in a brown paper bag with a ripe banana, apple, or a tomato. This will encourage the release of ethylene gas, which will accelerate the ripening process of the avocado fruit.
Step 2: Close the Bag
Fold the top of the paper bag and seal it with a clip to prevent air circulation.
Step 3: Store in a Warm Place
Place the sealed bag in a warm place, like a windowsill or cabinet. Avoid placing it in direct sunlight, as this may cause the fruit to ripen unevenly or too quickly.
Step 4: Check the Ripeness
Check the avocado after a day or two to see if it has ripened to your liking. If it is still too firm, return it to the paper bag and wait a little longer. Be careful not to leave it too long in the bag, or it will become overripe.
Conclusion
In conclusion, avocados ripen off the tree, regardless of whether they are exposed to sunlight or kept in the shade. The ripening of avocados is a natural process that is triggered by the production of ethylene gas. When harvested, avocados need warmth and humidity to ripen optimally.
Therefore, it is best to purchase avocados while still firm and allow them to ripen off the tree. You can easily ripen the fruit by placing it in a brown paper bag with a ripe fruit like banana, apple, or tomato.
FAQs
- Q: Why do avocados become brown when left ripe in the fridge?
A: Cold temperatures can cause the avocado to turn brown, a process known as oxidation. - Q: Can you ripen an avocado in the microwave?
A: No, microwaving an avocado will not ripen it; it will only soften it. - Q: Is it okay to eat an unripe avocado?
A: Eating unripe avocado may cause stomach upset, as it may be hard and lack the creamy texture and flavor that is characteristic of ripe avocados. - Q: How do you tell if an avocado is ripe?
A: Avocado is ripe when it yields slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed in the palm of your hand. - Q: How long does it take for an avocado fruit to ripen?
A: It can take anywhere from 3 to 7 days for an avocado fruit to ripen, depending on how ripe it was when harvested.
