Avocado enthusiasts, rejoice! An age-old dilemma might soon meet its match—or will it?

The eternal quest for the perfectly ripe avocado has been a source of frustration for many, but a new invention has sparked quite the debate among Aussies.

A video recently emerged online showcasing an avocado ripeness scanner in a Swiss supermarket, and it's got everyone talking.

This scanner, created by the Netherlands-based food technology startup OneThird, aims to tackle food waste with its cutting-edge tech.

After its debut at a US tech show in early 2023, it's now making waves in supermarkets worldwide, from the Netherlands to Singapore and Belgium.

The Perfect Avocado. Image Source: Pexels / Thought Catalogue

Using a blend of optical sensing and artificial intelligence, this contraption assesses avocado ripeness and delivers the verdict on a screen: either ‘firm’ or ‘ready to eat’.

For those perpetually on the hunt for that perfectly ripe avo, this could be a game-changer.

‘I spend half of my life searching for ripe avocados,’ lamented one shopper who saw the clip, while another exclaimed, ‘Wow, we need this in Australia!’

Supporters of the technology also argue that it could put an end to the all-too-common bruising caused by amateur avo prodding.

‘In Australia, every avocado is bruised from people testing them,’ noted one savvy shopper.

Source: TikTok / @celzurich​

But not everyone is sold on this high-tech solution. Critics argue it's an unnecessary gadget, insisting that the manual touch test is foolproof.

‘If only there was a way to check with your hands,’ remarked one sceptic.

Another chimed in with some sage advice: ‘It’s not hard to tell if an avocado is ripe. Just feel it. If it’s soft but doesn’t puncture when you poke it or go too deep, it’s good.’

While Aussie supermarkets haven't jumped on the scanner bandwagon yet, they're not lagging behind in the avocado game. Woolies, for instance, has rolled out its ‘Eat Now’ sticker campaign in select states, guiding shoppers to avocados ready for immediate consumption or those that need a bit more time to ripen.

The debate rages on, with some embracing the potential of this technology to simplify our lives, while others champion the sensory experience of hand-selecting produce.

It begs the question: Are we becoming too reliant on technology for even the simplest tasks, or is this just another step towards a more efficient and waste-free future?

Key Takeaways

• A new avocado ripeness scanner by OneThird is stirring up excitement and debate among avocado lovers.
• The scanner is making its way into supermarkets worldwide, with interest from Australian shoppers.
• The scanner's introduction prompts discussions on whether it's a helpful innovation or an unnecessary addition to fruit shopping.
• While not yet in Australian stores, supermarkets are exploring other ways to assist customers in choosing ripe avocados, such as Woolworths' 'Eat Now' sticker campaign.

Remember, whether you're tech-savvy or a traditionalist, the goal is the same: to enjoy that buttery, green goodness on your toast, in your salad, or as part of your favourite guacamole recipe. Happy avocado hunting!

Got any tips for picking the perfect avocado? Share your ripe ideas with us!

 

[IAN3005]

Some avocados have a pip so big there is little flesh to eat..... I'm used to avocados as big that they weigh 5-6kg with a small pip

 

[Lladnyl]

This wouldn't have been first published on April 1st, would it?

 

[IAN3005]

Some avocados have a pip so big there is little flesh to eat..... I'm used to avocados as big that they weigh 5-6kg with a small pip