Seeing brown spots in your avocado can be alarming, but don’t worry! In most cases, these spots are perfectly safe to eat. This article will explain why avocados turn brown, how to tell if your avocado is still good to eat, and what to do with avocados that have brown spots.
Why Do Avocados Turn Brown?
Avocados turn brown for a variety of reasons, and understanding these causes can help you determine whether your avocado is still safe to eat or if it’s best to discard it. Here are some of the most common reasons:
- Oxidation: Just like apples turn brown when exposed to air, avocados undergo a similar process called oxidation. When an avocado is cut open, enzymes in the fruit react with oxygen, causing the flesh to turn brown. This is a natural process and doesn’t necessarily mean the avocado is bad.
- Bruising: Avocados have delicate flesh that can be easily bruised during handling, transportation, or even by being squeezed too hard at the store. These bruises can result in brown spots or streaks in the flesh.
- Chilling Injury: Avocados are sensitive to cold temperatures. If they are stored below 4°C (39°F) for extended periods, they can develop brown spots due to a condition called diffuse discoloration. This is why it’s important to store avocados properly.
- Vascular Browning: Avocados have a network of vessels that transport nutrients and water throughout the fruit. When these vessels are damaged, they can turn brown. This can be caused by cold temperatures, rough handling, or even exposure to sunlight after harvest.
- Overripeness: As avocados ripen, they may develop brown spots throughout the flesh. This is a natural part of the aging process, but if the brown spots are accompanied by black skin, dark and stringy flesh, and a rancid odor or flavor, the avocado is likely overripe and should be discarded.
- Black Streaks: Sometimes, avocados, especially those from young trees, may have black streaks in the flesh. These streaks are harmless and do not affect the taste or safety of the avocado.
- Insect Damage: Tiny “stones” in the avocado flesh can be caused by insect damage, particularly from fruit-spotting bugs. These stones are the fruit’s natural defense response to the insect and are not harmful if eaten.
| Cause | Description |
| Oxidation | Exposure to air causes enzymes in the avocado to react with oxygen, turning the flesh brown. |
| Bruising | Physical damage to the avocado flesh results in brown spots or streaks. |
| Chilling Injury | Exposure to cold temperatures (below 4°C or 39°F) for extended periods can cause brown spots. |
| Vascular Browning | Damage to the avocado’s vascular system, which transports nutrients and water, can cause brown discoloration. |
| Overripeness | As avocados age, they may develop brown spots, especially if they are overripe. |
| Avocados from young trees may have harmless black streaks in the flesh. | |
| Insect Damage | Tiny “stones” in the avocado flesh can be caused by insect damage. |
How to Tell if an Avocado with Brown Spots Is Safe to Eat
While brown spots are often harmless, it’s essential to know how to tell if an avocado has gone bad. Here’s a guide to help you determine if your avocado is still safe to eat:
- Texture: Gently squeeze the avocado with the palm of your hand. A ripe avocado should be firm but yield slightly to pressure. If it feels mushy or leaves a large indentation, it may be overripe.
- Skin Color: For Hass avocados, which are the most common variety, the skin color can be an indicator of ripeness. They start with bright green skin, progress to dark green or brown when ripe, and may turn black when overripe. However, other avocado varieties retain their green skin color regardless of ripeness.
- Flesh Color and Texture: Cut open the avocado and examine the flesh. A good avocado has light green flesh. If the flesh is brown or black throughout, or has dark streaks and a stringy texture, it may be rotten. An isolated brown spot may be due to bruising and can be cut away.
- Smell: Ripe avocados have a pleasant, slightly sweet aroma. If the avocado has a sour or rancid smell, it’s a sign of spoilage.
- Mold: If the browning starts at the stem end and spreads throughout the avocado, it could be mold. In this case, it’s best to discard the avocado.
- Stem Color: Check the color underneath the avocado stem. If it’s green, the avocado is likely ripe. If it’s brown, the avocado may not be ripe yet.
| Indicator | Description |
| Texture | A ripe avocado should be firm but yield slightly to gentle pressure. Overripe avocados will feel mushy. |
| Skin Color (Hass avocados) | Ripe Hass avocados have dark green or brown skin. Black skin can indicate overripeness. |
| Flesh Color and Texture | Good avocados have light green flesh. Brown or black flesh throughout, or dark streaks and a stringy texture, may indicate spoilage. |
| Smell | Ripe avocados have a pleasant, slightly sweet aroma. A sour or rancid smell indicates spoilage. |
| Mold | Browning that starts at the stem end and spreads throughout the avocado could be mold. |
| Stem Color | Green under the stem indicates ripeness, while brown may mean the avocado is not yet ripe. |
What to Do with Brown Avocados
If your avocado has turned brown due to oxidation or has a few brown spots from bruising, don’t throw it away! There are many ways to use it:
- Mashed Avocado: Brown spots are less noticeable when the avocado is mashed. Use it for guacamole, avocado toast, or as a topping for burgers or tacos.
- Smoothies: The brown color will be completely hidden in a smoothie. Add it to your favorite smoothie recipe for a boost of nutrients and creaminess.
- Baking: Brown avocados are softer and creamier than perfectly ripe ones, making them perfect for baking. They can be used in brownies, cakes, and even fudge.
- Salad Dressings: Puree brown avocados into creamy salad dressings.
- Pesto: Add brown avocados to your favorite pesto recipe for a richer flavor and creamier texture.
- Oatmeal: Mix softened, overripe avocado into oatmeal for a thicker texture and creamier flavor.
- Prevent Browning: To prevent browning in the first place, squeeze lemon or lime juice on the cut side of an avocado. The acid helps slow down the oxidation process.
Other Uses for Brown Avocados
Avocados are rich in vitamins and nutrients that are beneficial for the skin and hair. Here are a couple of ways to use brown avocados for beauty treatments:
- Face Mask: Mash a brown avocado and apply it as a face mask for a moisturizing treatment.
- Hair Mask: Avocados can also help to strengthen and protect hair. Mash a brown avocado and apply it as a hair mask for a deep conditioning treatment.
Detailed Recipes
Here are some detailed recipes that use brown avocados:
Avocado and Banana Chocolate Pudding
This pudding is a delicious and healthy way to use overripe avocados and bananas.
- Servings: 4
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Duration: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ bananas
- 1 overripe avocado, pitted and peeled
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Preparation:
- Add the banana, avocado, and cocoa powder to a food processor. Process until just a few chunks remain, about 1 minute.
- With the food processor running, pour maple syrup through the feed tube and process until completely smooth, scraping down the bowl as needed, about 1 minute.
- Add vanilla and cinnamon and process until combined, about 10 seconds.
- Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate until completely chilled, 1 ½ to 2 hours.
Avocado Brownies
These gluten-free brownies use avocado in place of oil or butter, resulting in a fudgy, gooey texture.
- Servings: 9
Ingredients:
- 2 cups overripe avocado
- 2 cups almond flour
- 3 eggs
- ¼ cup melted coconut oil
- ¾ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ cup coconut sugar
- ¼ cup raw honey or maple syrup
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 3 ½ oz. dark organic chocolate, chopped and divided
- ¼ cup sliced almonds
Preparation:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Add the avocado, almond flour, and eggs to a food processor. Turn it on and stream in the coconut oil. Let the food processor blend for about 60 seconds, or until very smooth.
- Add cocoa powder, coconut sugar, honey, baking powder, vanilla, and salt. Blend until incorporated, scraping down the sides of the bowl if needed.
- Add half of the chocolate and pulse five or six times until it’s mixed.
- Transfer batter to the prepared baking dish and smooth into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining chocolate and almonds evenly over the top.
- Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs.
- Let the brownies cool completely before transferring to the fridge for at least 4 hours before cutting into squares.
Avocado Honey Face Mask
This face mask is a great way to moisturize your skin using a brown avocado.
Ingredients:
- ½ overripe avocado
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon cold-pressed olive oil
- 1 tablespoon oats
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 1 egg white
- Juice of ½ an orange
Preparation:
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl with a fork.
- Apply to skin and wait 15 minutes, then wash off.
Conclusion
Brown spots in avocados are often just a cosmetic issue caused by natural processes like oxidation and bruising. By checking the texture, skin color, flesh, smell, and looking for mold, you can determine if an avocado with brown spots is still safe to eat. If it is, there are many delicious and creative ways to use it, from guacamole and smoothies to brownies and face masks.
Throwing away avocados unnecessarily contributes to food waste, which has a significant environmental impact. By understanding the causes of brown spots and learning how to use brown avocados, we can reduce food waste and make the most of this nutritious and versatile fruit. So next time you encounter an avocado with a few brown spots, don’t be afraid to give it a try!
