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For those who can't wait to dig into a ripe avocado, there's a natural trick to speed up the ripening process without resorting to heat, which only yields a tasteless and rubbery
result. While some might be tempted to zap their avocados in the microwave or bake them in the oven, this method is frowned upon by foodies as it fails to enhance the fruit's flavour,
leading to an unappetising texture and blandness. Avocado aficionados from Avocados From Mexico have instead divulged a clever tip for hastening the ripening of this creamy fruit: simply
immerse it in a bowl of uncooked rice. They explained: "Use a simple staple like rice to speed up the ripening process. Place your avocado in a bowl full of rice and submerge it
completely so it's covered on all sides. "Uncooked rice is an excellent source of trapping ethylene gas, so this technique works like a charm," reports the Express. Ethylene
gas is naturally emitted by most fruits and plays a crucial role in the ripening process, enhancing both the taste and texture of the produce. However, too much ethylene can lead to
over-ripening, so it's wise to consider this when storing different types of fruit together to maintain their freshness. Putting the avocados in rice works by trap the ethylene gas
around it in a closed environment that speeds up the ripening process. In case rice isn’t to hand, pairing your stubborn avocado with a banana could be equally fruitful. An expert advises:
"Place your avocado in a brown paper bag, along with a banana. This trick may seem bananas, but it works!" Given bananas are heavy producers of ethylene, they'll make your
avocados ready for the eating in a mere 24 hours—sometimes even overnight. Remember, when practising this ripe reward, it's best to opt for something like a paper container, as avocados
ooze moisture while ripening.