Why Does Guacamole Turn Brown?
Like apples, avocados have an enzyme that reacts with oxygen in a process called oxidation. Luckily that means the part of the avocado directly below the surface is protected from oxidation. That’s why if you’re storing your guacamole in the fridge, you can usually scrape off the brown layer on top and keep eating.
How Long Does Guacamole Stay Good?
Store-bought guacamole that’s unopened should last 1-2 weeks. Once opened, store-bought guacamole usually lasts 1-2 days. Homemade guacamole also usually lasts 1-2 days. You’ll know it’s gone bad when it has a substantial puddle of brown liquid and the layers below the surface have lost their vibrant green hue. That’s when it’s time to throw it out.
Do Avocado Pits Prevent Guacamole from Turning Brown?
If you’ve made guacamole at home or with friends, you may have seen someone leave the avocado pit in their guacamole. Chances are you’ve probably heard this tip at least once. The truth is that there’s nothing especially protective about the pit. It may help less of the guacamole turn brown, but only the part of the mixture directly touching it. That’s because the only thing that keeps guacamole fresh is minimizing exposure to air.
How to Keep Guacamole Fresh
Aside from leaving in the avocado pit, typical ways to keep guacamole fresh include plastic wrap and lemon juice. Plastic wrap is supposed to prevent air exposure and the acidity of lemon juice prevents the chemical reaction of oxidation. If you cut open an avocado that’s under-ripe, you may want to combine these techniques. Reassemble your avocado, add lemon juice, cover in plastic wrap, and put into an airtight container. (If you really need to store an avocado, the freezer also works.)
Plastic containers often have small gaps that allow air in between the top and the bottom, even if it looks closed. Stiff plastic is also less likely to have an airtight seal. The materials used to make plastic wrap have been modified and are now more porous, which is why they often fail.
The Best Way to Keep Guacamole Fresh
The best way to make sure your guacamole airtight is to cover it with a material that actually won’t let any air in – water. To start, pack your guacamole tightly into the bottom of a tightly sealing container and pour on top a layer of lukewarm water. If you’re worried about your dip becoming watery, don’t. Water is slow to penetrate the avocado and you can always scrape off the top layer that may have extra moisture. You could also try putting a layer of plastic in between the guacamole and the water. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can simply mix in the added moisture.
If you’re in the mood for fresh Mexican food, contact Acapulcos today to make your reservation at any of our locations in Massachusetts or Connecticut. Our guacamole is made fresh daily.