There’s nothing quite like the creamy, buttery texture of a perfectly ripe avocado—ideal for toast, guac, or tossing through a salad. But as many Aussies know, getting avocados to ripen just right can sometimes feel like a waiting game. Fortunately, there’s a clever little trick involving bananas that can help speed things along – which you can try next time you’re at Alexanders!
Bananas and avocados both emit a natural plant hormone or gas. This gas plays a key role in the ripening process. When you place an unripe avocado next to a banana, especially in a paper bag; you effectively create a mini ripening chamber. The banana pumps out this gas, which signals to the avocado, “Hey mate, it’s time to ripen up!”
Why Bananas Help Ripen Avocados
The paper bag helps trap the gas while still allowing a bit of airflow, preventing mould. In just a day or two, that rock-hard avo can soften up, depending on how green it was to begin with. You’ll notice the skin darkening and the fruit giving slightly when gently squeezed. So even if its green, it’ll be ready to eat in a couple of days.
If you’re in a rush, add an apple to the bag as well: apples also emit this gas and can help accelerate the process even further. Just don’t forget to check on your avocado daily, or you might find it’s over ripe!
Once Ripe, Store Smart
So, your avocado’s perfectly ripe and ready. What now? If you’re not planning to eat it straight away, you may want to slow down the ripening process. This is just as easy: pop it in the fridge! Cold temperatures reduce gas production and activity, helping keep your avocado at that ideal stage for a bit longer.
But here’s where things can get tricky. The fridge isn’t always the friendliest place for delicate fruit. Enter FruitHero: a simple but clever solution for keeping your fruit fresher for longer.
Extend Freshness with FruitHero
FruitHero is a fridge-safe product designed to absorb ripening gases and slow the ripening process of your fresh produce. Whether it’s avocados, berries, or leafy greens, FruitHero works quietly in the background to reduce spoilage. It fits easily into your crisper drawer or at the back with your Bi-Carb Soda and helps maintain optimal freshness for up to three times longer compared with leaving it in your crisper.
This is especially handy if you’ve ripened multiple avocados and want to keep them in prime condition for more than just a day or two. FruitHero helps you waste less, shop smarter, and enjoy fresh produce without the last-minute panic of “eat it now or bin it.” We hate fruit and veg waste as much as you do!
Using bananas to ripen avocados is a tried-and-true kitchen hack that’s as simple as it is effective. But to truly make the most of your fresh produce, combining that know-how with modern tools like FruitHero is a game changer. Ripen smart, store smarter—and never let a good avo go to waste again.
Buy all your fresh fruit and vegetables at Alexanders at 12 Chester St, Oakleigh!