We’ve all been there. You slice open a perfectly ripe avocado, ready to enjoy its creamy goodness, but before you can even blink, it starts to turn brown. It’s a frustrating experience, and it often leads to wasted avocado. But does lemon juice really prevent avocados from browning? The answer is yes! Lemon juice can help to keep your avocados looking fresh and delicious.
Why Avocados Turn Brown
To understand how lemon juice works, it’s important to know why avocados turn brown in the first place. The browning is caused by an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase (PPO). When an avocado is cut, PPO is exposed to oxygen. This triggers a chemical reaction that results in the production of brown pigments. This enzymatic browning reaction is only triggered when PPO, phenolic compounds, and oxygen come into contact with one another.
How Lemon Juice Prevents Browning
Lemon juice contains ascorbic acid, also known as Vitamin C. Ascorbic acid is an antioxidant, which means it can slow down the oxidation process that causes browning. When you squeeze lemon juice on a cut avocado, the ascorbic acid reacts with the oxygen before it can react with the PPO in the avocado. This creates a barrier that prevents browning. The acid in the lemon juice lowers the pH of the avocado, which inhibits the PPO enzyme.
How to Use Lemon Juice to Keep Avocados Fresh
Here’s how to use lemon juice to keep your avocados from turning brown:
- Slice the avocado: Cut the avocado in half and remove the pit.
- Squeeze lemon juice: Squeeze a generous amount of lemon juice over the exposed flesh of the avocado. Make sure to cover all surfaces.
- Store properly: Place the avocado in an airtight container or wrap it tightly with cling wrap. Make sure the cling wrap sticks to the surface to prevent any gaps or pockets of air.
- Refrigerate: Store the avocado in the refrigerator until you’re ready to use it.
Other Methods to Prevent Avocado Browning
While lemon juice is an effective way to prevent avocado browning, there are other methods you can try:
- Cling Wrap: Tightly wrap the surface of the avocado with cling wrap, ensuring there are no gaps or pockets of air.
- Onion: Store the avocado with a few slices of onion in an airtight container. The sulfur compounds in the onion act as a natural preservative.
- Water: Submerge the avocado in water. However, don’t leave it for too long, as it can become mushy.
- Pineapple Juice: Brush a bit of pineapple juice on the exposed pulp to delay browning.
- Honey: Add a thin coat of honey to the surface of the cut avocado to limit contact with oxygen.
What to Do If Your Avocado Turns Brown
Even if you take precautions, your avocado may still turn brown. If this happens, don’t worry! Browned avocado is safe to eat. Simply remove the browned surface and enjoy the rest. However, if the avocado has an odd smell, it may indicate microbial deterioration, and you should discard it.
The Bottom Line
Lemon juice is a simple and effective way to prevent avocados from turning brown. By using lemon juice and proper storage techniques, you can keep your avocados looking fresh and delicious for longer. So next time you slice an avocado, reach for the lemon juice and enjoy!