---
title: Picking Good Avocados
date: 2012-08-24T18:50:59Z
modified: 2012-08-24T18:50:59Z
permalink: "https://elizabethyarnell.com/picking-good-avocados/"
type: post
status: publish
excerpt: ""
wpid: 2403
categories:
  - Living Naturally
tags:
  - bruised avocado
  - ewg clean 15
  - ripe avocado
  - wash produce
author: Elizabeth
---

My mother-in-law has complained that the avocados she buys are bruised and spotted when she cuts them open that evening. My trick is to buy avocados before they are ripe, when they are firm and more resistant to bruising, and then to let them ripen over the following few days at home where they won’t be jostled and damaged. Avocados are ready to eat when they give slightly to a gentle squeeze.![avacado](http://www.hotforwords.com/wp-content/uploads/avocado.jpg "avocado")

Avocados are on the [Environmental Working Group’s list of the Clean Fifteen](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2012/06/produce-grown-with-the-least-amount-of-pesticides/ "ewg clean 15"), those non-organic fruits and vegetables that are the least contaminated by pesticides, so you don’t have to feel guilty about taking advantage of those 10 for $10 specials when they come around.

Organic or not, [always wash avocados](http://elizabethyarnell.com/effortlesseating/2012/08/wash-produce-before-cutting-through-the-skin/ "wash produce") and other fruit before slicing through the skin to remove grime, pesticides, bacteria, and parasites.