Step 1: Judge the Outside (Before You Cut)
The Stem Test: Your #1 Hack
Gently pop off the small stem nub at the top of the avocado.
Bright green underneath? → Perfectly ripe and fresh.
Brown underneath? → May be overripe—but still safe to eat (check flesh).
Hard to remove or dry? → Likely underripe or past its prime.
This works 90% of the time—and beats squeezing!