Credits: Social Media
Storing avocado in water to keep it fresh for weeks is unsafe, warns chemical engineer�
Even though avocados boast several health benefits, they are trickier than other fruits to store. While a TikTok hack claims to keep it fresh in the refrigerator “forever”, it isn’t safe.
Recent studies are trying to draw more attention to different methods to make fresh produce safe to consume, including peeling them instead of just washing them. Unlike the scientifically proven techniques, the viral hack is “not safe”, says the TikTok content creator.
TikTok users swear by the ‘unsafe’ hack
Throwing away a good batch of fruits, vegetables, or even your favorite cookie because they aren’t fresh can be a difficult choice to make.
Avocados are among the most talked about fruits on social media thanks to their multiple properties, but demand for the same has resulted in people inventing different ways to make them “last forever.”
One popular hack going around on TikTok for over a year claims that submerging fresh avocados in water and storing them in the fridge retains the freshness for weeks.
Even though Erin Aka Food Science Babe doesn’t deny or question the effectiveness of the popular method, she recommends against following it because it can “increase your risk of foodborne illnesses.”
“The bacteria can be on the outside of the avocado peel such as salmonella or listeria,” she continues. The water used to submerge the fruit is a “breeding ground for the bacteria to multiply.”
The right way to store avocados
As preserving avocados in water can cause the bacteria to get into the fruit – the part that you’re going to eat – the chemical engineer offers a safer alternative.
She says you can place dry avocado in the fridge for a “few more days shelf life” instead. Once the fruit is ready to consume, rinse it under the water to get rid of any bacteria from the surface. You can use a scrub brush and dry it using a clean paper towel or cloth.
Erin is a chemical engineer with a BS from the University of MN, with over 14 years of experience in the food industry and in the conventional as well as the natural/organic sectors. She uses her social media platform to debunk myths associated with what we eat without offering medical advice.
