We’ve all experienced it. You’ve sliced open a perfectly ripe avocado, having hoped to be met with creamy green flesh, but are ultimately slapped with a stringy disappointment.
Many of us have eaten the stringy avocado anyway but often wonder if it is actually safe to eat. To answer it briefly, yes, you can actually eat a stringy avocado. The texture of the avocado might not be as great, but it is actually safe to eat.
Here’s a brief explanation of why eating a stringy avocado is not bad for you at all.
According to EatingWell, the avocado is simply trying to develop into a big, powerful fruit by producing those fibrous strips. These strips are referred to as “vascular bundles.” They transport nutrients and water, just like veins do in our bodies. They are essential for a newborn avocado blossom to guarantee healthy growth and development.
According to Terry Splane, the vice president of marketing for the California Avocado Commission, the good news is that you probably won’t encounter too many stringy avocados. “Fibrous strands in avocados are a relatively rare occurrence,” Terry says.
What makes an otherwise flawless avocado develop these unattractive bits? According to Terry, it’s usually young, immature trees. “Those strands are generally found in fruit from immature trees,” he explains.
Terry further explains by saying that although these strands may be unsightly and unattractive, they are 100% safe to eat. As long as the avocado is green and smells fine, it’s safe to eat. Those strands are completely edible, so even if you accidentally eat them after trying to remove them, you’ll be fine.
Also see: 6 Foods you should eat during winter
