The Avocado Hack That Simply Doesn't Work

We've all been there: You buy some unripe avocados thinking you won't be using them for a couple of days, only to find they are still hard when you are ready to make your meal that required them. There are plenty of hacks in the social media-verse to help you find a trick to get these babies to ripen quickly. From the brown paper bag method, to using your microwave and some plastic wrap (via Country Living) the world is happy to share their firsthand knowledge with the masses. And we are so happy that they do. 

But sometimes, there are tips that simply do not work, and we like to know that as well so we don't waste precious time. The Kitchn tested an avocado hack that was making the rounds claiming you can ripen an avocado in the oven. What they found will save you a lot of time, and your taste buds a lot of heartache. So, what was the big reveal with this avocado hack?

The avocado hack's step-by-step instructions directed you to heat your oven to 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wrap your avocado in aluminum foil, place it in a baking dish, and pop it in the oven for 10 minutes, or until it softens up. The science behind this has to do with the ethylene gas that is emitted when an avocado ripens. The foil traps the gas so the avocado is essentially stewing in it, causing the fruit to ripen quickly. 

Put to the test, after 10 minutes the avocado was still hard as a rock. It took an hour for the process to work and get the avocado soft, but the proof of success lies in the end product, and the tester simply did not get the results of a soft, creamy, smooth texture hoped for (via The Kitchn). The end decision was this avocado trick failed.

According to the avocado experts at Love One Today, brought to you by the Hass Avocado Board, the only method they advocate to soften up your rock hard avocados is in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. This will take two to three days, so plan ahead.