Did You Ever Have an Avocado Taste Like Gasoline? Here’s Why
Recently, we bought a handful of avocados at a grocer. Normally, that would be a boring statement...but not this time.
These avocados had a funny taste to them...they tasted like gasoline, or petrol. So we wondered what the heck was going on? In all the years we’ve been eating avocados, they never had this taste to them...so we looked it up. Basically, the taste comes from fats in the avocado that have spoiled or broken down before its time. And one of the ways - that creates that gas taste - bothers me...
The information we found stated, “An avocado that tastes like petrol is typically caused by lipid oxidation (rancidity) or artificial ripening processes.” Well, we sure didn’t like the sound of THAT. “Artificial ripening”? Okay, so how is that achieved?
“Commercial avocados are sometimes exposed to ethylene gas to speed up the ripening process. If the process is rushed or unnatural, the fruit can develop an "off" chemical flavor rather than a naturally creamy, nutty taste.”
Great. Now I’m not sure if I ever want to buy another avocado. However, there are other, more natural ways this gas taste is achieved:
1) "If the fruit is bruised, overripe, or left open to the air for too long, those natural oils oxidize and break down, creating a pungent, chemical, or "petrol-like" taste and smell.”
2) “Storing cut avocados in non-food-safe plastic wraps or keeping them in a refrigerator alongside gasoline, paint, or harsh cleaners.” (Who in their right mind would do that in the first place?)
It is suggested that you simply throw away that smelly avocado, as it can cause a bellyache. If you have already cut open an avocado but don’t want to eat the whole thing yet, squirt some lemon juice over it and put it in an airtight container.
I can handle it if the avocado gets that smell naturally, but when artificial methods are used that contain chemicals, that's where I draw the line.
What if guacamole has the same gassy taste?
Pitch it.
Avocados
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