Many people love avocados but feel “helpless” when a ripe avocado only lasts one or two days before quickly turning brown and spoiling. Recently, a simple yet effective avocado storage tip has gone viral on social media, delighting home cooks everywhere.
According to YouTuber @thecrosslegacy, just one lemon can help keep avocados fresh for up to 30 days without browning. In a short video shared on YouTube, she explains: “Simply place the avocados together with a lemon in the vegetable drawer of your refrigerator. You’ll be amazed to find that the avocados remain perfectly fresh after a month.”
Just one lemon can help keep avocados fresh for up to 30 days without turning brown. Illustration photo.
The clip quickly attracted millions of views and countless surprised comments. Many viewers even posted photos as proof, showing that avocados stored this way stayed green and unspoiled despite being kept for several weeks.
Experts explain that lemons release citric acid and natural antibacterial compounds, which help slow down oxidation—the main reason avocados turn brown and change color. In addition, the small amount of ethylene gas released by lemons can help regulate the ripening process, allowing avocados to retain their freshness for a longer time.
Not only lemons, but some studies also suggest that onions can be an effective “helper” in preserving avocados. According to Healthline, placing a cut avocado together with an onion in an airtight container can significantly reduce browning.
Lemons release citric acid and natural antibacterial compounds that help slow down oxidation. Illustration photo.
The reason is that compounds extracted from onions can inhibit the enzyme polyphenol oxidase (PPO), which is responsible for color changes in avocados. Moreover, sulfur compounds in onions can bind with copper in this enzyme, reducing its activity and thereby slowing the browning process. Some experiments show that this method can reduce discoloration by up to one third.
When applying this tip, users only need to place a slice of onion in an airtight container with the avocado, making sure the onion touches only the peel and does not come into direct contact with the avocado flesh to avoid affecting its flavor.
With two familiar ingredients found in every kitchen—lemons and onions—keeping avocados fresh for many days is no longer difficult. This small but useful trick helps home cooks save money and always have delicious avocados ready for everyday meals.
