To ripen an avocado fast, the most effective and commonly recommended method is to place the unripe avocado in a brown paper bag along with an apple or banana. These fruits release ethylene gas, a natural ripening agent that accelerates the process. This method typically takes about 2 to 3 days for the avocado to become ripe. Other fast ripening tricks include:
- Submerging the avocado in warm (not hot) water for 10-15 minutes, which can soften it in about an hour but may affect flavor.
- Wrapping the avocado in foil and baking it at 200°F (93°C) for 10-15 minutes. This softens the avocado quickly but might result in uneven texture and less flavor.
- Placing the avocado in a sunny spot or on a warm windowsill for 1-2 days to speed natural ripening.
Among these, the paper bag method with an apple or banana is the best balance of speed and quality ripeness. Checking the avocado daily is important to avoid over-ripening, which leads to mushiness.
