Have you ever noticed Costco avocados lasting longer than other avocados? Well they do, and there's a scientific explanation!
Here’s Why Costco’s Avocados Last Longer Than Others
Published on Jul. 31, 2018
As if Costco wasn’t enough of a magical place, the shelf life of their avocados will have you running to, well, the shelves. Thanks to the store’s recent collaboration with Apeel Sciences, the shelf life of Costco’s avocados has doubled. So you can finally make homemade guacamole without worrying about the timing of your recently purchased avocados.
Pro tip: Avocados typically last 4-7 days at room temperature. Here’s how long your fresh produce will keep.
How did they do that?
It’s all in the peel! Apeel Sciences has created a plant-based outer peel called Apeel that will extend the shelf life of multiple fruits and vegetables. The peel is made from lipids and glycerolipids—natural fats found in fruits and vegetables. The peel doubles the life of a food product by holding in the moisture inside the fruit or vegetable and keeping the extra oxygen out. The added oxygen is what spoils a food faster, so Apeel slows down the process by reducing oxygenation. (Here’s how to tell if an avocado is ripe.)
Is it safe to eat?
Apeel is perfectly edible. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it is fully compliant with their regulations and safe to eat. Though the peel can’t be washed off, it’s completely colorless, odorless, and tasteless—so you wouldn’t notice it after biting into an apple.
If you are to eat Apeel, the natural fats wouldn’t make much difference in your overall diet. Apeel Sciences states that if your diet consisted only of fruits and vegetables with Apeel, your daily caloric intake of fat coming from Apeel would be less than one calorie a day.
What is Apeel Sciences?
Apeel Sciences is fighting the war on food waste one peel at a time. Their plant-based peel is made with natural elements, instead of chemicals and preservatives, making their practices sustainable. According to their website, Apeel’s vision is for “a world where we work with nature—rather than against it—to create solutions to the world’s greatest challenges.” Their mission is to “help fresh food providers improve quality, reduce waste and ensure an abundant future for our planet.”
Apeel has products that are OMRI Listed for the growers and distributors of USDA Certified Organic produce. With this approval, they hope to provide their peel to more produce products in an effort to reduce the $2.6 trillion dollar food waste problem that the Food and Agriculture Organization deals with worldwide.
Does all of Costco’s produce have this magical peel?
At the moment, Apeel Sciences only offers Apeel for avocados at major U.S. grocery stores. Costco is one of them. However, the company does hope to make it available for dozens of other fruits and vegetables.
So if you’re the type of shopper who buys in bulk, grabbing avocados at Costco may not be a bad idea!
Make one of these 46 recipes with your avocados!
Avocado Crab BoatsThese boats are wonderful with tortilla chips, beans or rice. You can also cover them, pack them on ice, and take them to a picnic or potluck. Straight from the oven or cold, they're always delicious. —Frances Benthin, Scio, Oregon
Chicken Skewers with Cool Avocado SauceI’m always looking for lighter recipes to take on tailgate outings—and this one works fabulously for grilling. Just whip up the marinade, add the chicken and take it along to the pregame festivities. —Veronica Callaghan, Glastonbury, Connecticut
Avocado Scrambled EggsBacon and avocado blend nicely in these special eggs. They’re easy and perfect for breakfast. But I'll also whip them up after an evening meeting or football game—or any time friends drop by for coffee. —Sundra Hauck, Bogalusa, Louisiana
Salad with AvocadoOur favorite salad with avocado features juicy tomatoes, toasted walnuts, red onions, creamy avocados and spring mix tossed with a zesty lime dressing. Made in only 25 minutes, it’s the perfect quick side dish or light lunch.
Air-Fryer Fried Avocado TacosTacos just got even more exciting! These juicy, flavorful, easy and healthy tacos are for those who are huge fans of avocado. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Avocado SalsaThis avocado salsa is smooth, cool and downright refreshing. Scoop it with chips, spoon it over chicken or steak—or just eat it on its own!
Slow-Cooker Chicken & Black Bean TacosMy husband and I love Mexican food and these tacos have become one of our favorite meals. Try setting out the toppings in different bowls on the table so dinner guests and kids can make their own tacos. —Laura Rodriguez, Willoughby, Ohio
Creamy Avocado ManicottiI am always looking for creative ways to make vegetarian dinners a little different. I grow my own basil, and avocados are a versatile favorite, so this recipe is a fantastic way to make manicotti that's a little unusual. —Jennifer Coduto, Kent, Ohio
Mexican Layered SaladHere’s another popular dish I like to prepare in advance, adding the cheese and chips just before serving. It’s a slightly different version of the traditional layered salad.—Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Chicken Tacos This chicken taco recipe features a light, refreshing salsa made from avocados and corn. The chicken takes on the perfect combination of seasonings as you cook this dish; you may even want to make extra because it's just that good.
Grilled Steak Salad with Tomatoes & AvocadoMy family loves a good steak dinner, but with busy schedules, I'm often thinking about ways to put new and simple twists on things. This salad is flavored with the freshness of lemon and cilantro and is one of my husband's favorite weeknight dishes. —Lyndsay Wells, Ladysmith, British Columbia
Avocado Goat Cheese TrufflesGive guests the VIP treatment with luxurious truffles you can make in your own kitchen. The goat cheese is mild, and red pepper heats up each bite just a bit. Crackers are the perfect accompaniment. —Roxanne Chan, Albany, California
Tomato & Avocado SandwichesI'm a vegetarian, and this is a tasty, quick and healthy lunch I could eat for every meal. At my house, we call these sandwiches HATS: hummus, avocado, tomato and shallots. These are ingredients I almost always have on hand. —Sarah Jaraha, Moorestown, New Jersey
Shrimp Salad with Cilantro DressingThis pretty salad has such authentic flavor, you'll think you're sitting at a beachside cantina in Acapulco. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Mexicali Quiche with Avocado CrustNew Mexican cuisine is my favorite, and this quiche uses an avocado crust filled with many delicious ingredients. Top with chopped cilantro for garnish. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Baby Kale Salad with Avocado-Lime DressingWe pull a bunch of ingredients from our garden when we make this baby kale salad with zucchini and sweet onion. The yogurt dressing layers on big lime flavor. —Suzanna Esther, State College, Pennsylvania
Chicken Taco SaladTen minutes of prep are all you need to make this delicious chicken taco salad. The slow cooker does the rest of the work, creating a satisfying and easy-to-make meal even on the busiest of weeknights.
Chipotle Lime Avocado SaladI use my music to promote a healthy lifestyle, like eating your veggies. This bright salad is loaded with avocado, cucumbers, tomatoes and a little heat factor. —DJ Cavem, Denver, Colorado
Southwestern Eggs Benedict with Avocado SauceI frequently make this spicy spinoff of classic eggs Benedict for my husband, who loves breakfast. I like the heat from the jalapenos and also that the avocado sauce is a healthier substitute for the usual hollandaise sauce. —Kara Scow, McKinney, Texas
Potato Salad with Kalamata-Hazelnut VinaigrettePotato salad tossed with vinaigrette has a lighter taste than traditional mayo versions. I add velvety avocado and hazelnuts for cool texture and crunch. —Laurie Bock, Lynden, Washington
Grilled Mango & Avocado SaladA big hit with my family, this light salad is so easy to make! The healthy option of mango and avocado is simply the best combination you could serve. —Amy Liesemeyer, Tucson, Arizona
Skinny Cobb SaladThis skinny version of Cobb salad has all the taste and creaminess with half the fat and calories. You can skip the coleslaw mix and use all lettuce, but I like the crunch you get with cabbage. —Taylor Kiser, Brandon, Florida
Shrimp Avocado SaladThis salad can be served as a cool and satisfying dinner or lunch. The delicious taste and smooth texture of avocados mixed with the crisp shrimp salad is heavenly. —Teri Rasey, Cadillac, Michigan
Bacon SaladThis bacon salad combines crispy romaine, smoky bacon, juicy tomatoes and creamy avocado, all tied together with a tangy homemade dressing. It's perfect for a light lunch or as a fresh, flavorful side dish.
Grilled Flank Steak with Summer RelishMy garden produces a nice harvest of tomatoes, scallions, corn, garlic and poblanos, so that's what I use to make relish for this tasty steak. —Brenda Washnock, Negaunee, Michigan
Salmon BurgerThis excellent salmon burger, layered between a heap of fresh coleslaw and a honey mustard spread, will take your grilling game to the next level.
California Club PizzaYou can use your favorite store-bought pizza dough or make your own for this West Coast-inspired pie topped with tomato, avocado and sprouts. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Chicken Cakes with Avocado Mango SauceHere's a fabulous appetizer for your next party. Or serve these chicken cakes for dinner with a side of hot rice and your favorite vegetable. —Rachael Nodes, La Barge, Wyoming
Avocado Egg Salad ToastI had a surplus of avocados after purchasing too many for an event. A few days later, I was making egg salad sandwiches for lunch and had the fantastic idea to use avocado to bind it together instead of traditional mayo. Not only was this version unbelievably delicious but the healthy fats in the avocado make this a much better option than the traditional mayo-laden version. —Shannon Dobos, Calgary, Alberta
Avocado & Artichoke Pasta SaladA squeeze of lime, a sprinkle of cilantro and a little avocado make this a creamy and zingy pasta salad. —Carrie Farias, Oak Ridge, New Jersey
Chicken with Peach-Avocado SalsaThis super fresh dinner is pure summer—juicy peaches, creamy avocado, grilled chicken and a kick of hot sauce and lime. To get it on the table even quicker, make the salsa ahead. —Shannon Roum, Cudahy, Wisconsin
No-Fuss Avocado Onion SaladMy mother, Nena, grew up in Cuba and learned many styles of cooking. She had a knack for making something incredibly simple taste amazing. This salad is proof. By itself, the dressing is really tart, but add the avocados and onions and it's the perfect complement. —Marina Castle Kelley, Canyon Country, California
Grilled Cheese and Avocado SandwichWho doesn’t love a grilled cheese sandwich? This version kicks it up a notch with avocado, tons of cheese and extra-crispy bread. —Josh Rink, Taste of Home Food Stylist
California Burger BowlsBurgers are a weekly staple at our house year-round. Skip the fries, chips and bun—you won't need them with these loaded veggie and fruit burgers. To spice up the mayo, add 1/2 tsp. of chipotle powder. —Courtney Stultz, Weir, Kansas
Cornmeal Catfish with Avocado SauceWhen I was growing up in California, my mother made catfish quite often, and it was always a hit. Now I cook it with my own twist. When only frozen catfish fillets are available, I thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, and they work just as well. —Mary Lou Cook, Welches, Oregon
Salsa & Scrambled Egg SandwichesPower up with a breakfast that keeps you going all morning long. In my humble opinion, this sandwich tastes so much better than anything that comes from a drive-thru! —Marcia Conlon, Traverse City, Michigan
Bacon, Egg & Avocado SandwichesMy husband wanted bacon and eggs; I wanted a BLT. We settled our standoff with an irresistible sandwich we've had many times since. —Patti Darwin, Lubbock, Texas
Cherry Tomato Pasta with Avocado SauceHeart-healthy avocado makes this pasta dish feel indulgent without being overly rich. The flavorful sauce is so luscious, you’ll think there is cream hiding in there. It’s guilt-free and dairy-free, but with a texture and consistency that’s similar to traditional cream-based sauces. —Julie Peterson, Crofton, Maryland
Ham and Avocado ScrambleHearty ham, creamy avocado and a hint of garlic—this winning egg dish has all the makings for a breakfast, lunch or dinner. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
