Avocados can be refrigerated both whole and cut, but there are certain considerations to keep in mind to preserve their freshness and prevent browning.
Whole avocados: If you want to slow down the ripening process of avocados, you can place them in the refrigerator. Unripe avocados can take several days to ripen in the fridge, while ripe ones will stay fresh for a few more days. However, if you have unripe avocados and want to speed up the ripening process, it's best to leave them out at room temperature until they become soft.
Cut avocados: If you have a leftover cut avocado, it's essential to store it properly to minimize browning. The best method is to wrap the avocado tightly in plastic wrap, ensuring no air gets in. Alternatively, you can place the avocado in an airtight container or cover the exposed flesh with plastic wrap, ensuring the wrap is in direct contact with the surface of the avocado to limit its exposure to air. Keeping the pit with the cut avocado can also help delay browning. Even with these precautions, cut avocados may still turn slightly brown due to natural oxidation, but this method will slow down the process significantly.
Regarding the size of avocados, it's more of a personal preference. Larger avocados typically have a larger pit and yield more flesh, making them ideal for dishes like guacamole or slicing for salads and sandwiches. Smaller avocados, on the other hand, might be easier to handle and are suitable for individual servings or recipes where you need a smaller portion.
Remember that the key to selecting avocados is to find ones that are firm but give slightly when gently squeezed. Overly soft avocados may be overripe, while hard ones need time to ripen at room temperature. If you have multiple avocados and don't plan to use them all at once, you can buy a mix of ripe and unripe avocados so you can enjoy them over a few days.
Overall, the best approach is to adjust your storage method based on the avocado's ripeness and your intended use, allowing you to enjoy them at their best.