Here are the 5 top ways to tell your avocado has gone bad. They include using your senses of smell, taste, touch, and sight. Let’s take a look at each method for how to tell if an avocado has gone bad.
The avocado shouldn’t be mushy. When you gently press your finger or thumb on your avocado it should be firm, but should also give slightly when it’s perfectly ripe. So, if it’s overly soft or has dented skin, then you could be looking at an avocado that’s gone bad.
Blackened skin
If your avocado has blackened skin, it’s possible that it has gone bad. However, as some varieties of avocado ripen, their skin darkens. So, unless it’s obvious to you that it’s gone bad, use another method as well to confirm that this is indeed the case. The outside of the avocado shouldn’t look shriveled.
Dark, stringy flesh
Cut the avocado open and examine its flesh. The color should be bright green with a yellow tint. If there are dark spots and the flesh is stringy, this is another way of knowing how to tell if an avocado is bad. The taste should be mild.
Check the avocado's flesh. If the avocado is good, it should have light green flesh, free of black or brown spots or streaks. Slice the avocado open, it should be firm but creamy.
Off flavor or odor
Check the avocado's smell. A good avocado shouldn’t smell bad. A good avocado should have a nice, sweet smell that’s somewhat fruity and fresh. If your avocado smells like chemicals, or it doesn’t smell good, chances are your avocado has gone bad and you should throw it away.
Mold
If your avocado has mold on the outside or there is mold on the inside when you cut it open, this is a sign that your avocado has gone bad. Just dispose of it. Don’t smell avocados that have mold, because you could potentially inhale the mold spores.
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