The clever 20p coin hack that tells if an avocado is perfectly ripe before you buy it

Picking the right avocado in the supermarket can feel like guesswork. Some are too hard, others spoil before they even make it home. But now a simple 20p coin trick is being shared by an expert who says it takes the guesswork out of choosing the perfect one.

The method only takes seconds and is already being hailed as a useful hack for reducing food waste and saving money. With prices between £1 and £1.60 per avocado, no one wants to slice one open only to find it's mushy or underripe.

Martin Davies, 44, a Backdoor and Goods In Supervisor for a major supermarket in Manchester, said customers often ask for help.

"We get pallets of fresh avocados every morning. Sometimes suppliers even throw in a free tray for staff to try out," he said.

"The funny part is we end up giving tips to shoppers on how to test them, because no one likes cutting one open to find it's gone off.

"If you've got a 20p in your pocket, it's a handy way to check before you buy. Saves a lot of disappointment at home."

The hack works by using a 20p coin to gauge ripeness. If the fruit feels about as firm as the rim of the coin when pressed gently, it's likely ready to eat.

If it's harder, it needs more time. If it feels too soft, it may be past its best.

Shoppers are already used to giving fruit a gentle squeeze, but the coin method is said to offer a clearer guide, without bruising the avocado.

Martin added: "It's one of those perks. We get to enjoy them at the best stage, and customers can too if they use a bit of know-how."

Avocados are often picked before they're ripe so they can survive the journey to UK supermarkets.

But that means timing is everything. With food prices still high, avoiding waste has become more important than ever.

Minotaur Fight Store, a sports and nutrition specialist, says avocados are a key part of high-performance diets.

A spokesperson said: "Avocados are packed with good fats, fibre and potassium. They provide slow energy and support recovery after training. But this is not just for athletes.

"Anyone can benefit from the nutrients in avocados, whether it's spread on toast or sliced into a salad.

"Choosing one that is perfectly ripe means you get the most flavour and the most nutrition from it."