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Skin & Firmness Guide
Color/Feel
What It Means
Can You Eat It?
Bright green, firm
Underripe
Yes—just wait 2–5 days
Deep green/purple, yields slightly to gentle palm pressure
Perfectly ripe
Eat today!
Very soft, squishy, or dented
Overripe
Usually yes—great for guacamole or smoothies
Black, mushy, or leaking
Likely spoiled
Toss if foul-smelling or slimy
Never judge by color alone—Hass avocados turn dark when ripe; green-skinned varieties (like Fuerte) stay green.
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