What to Do With an Avocado Pit? Surprise! You Can Use It for Cooking, Beauty, Crafts + More
It’s no secret that avocados have become a popular superfood — and it's no wonder since the delicious gems are packed with health benefits. And while most of us open an avocado, scoop out the flesh and toss the pit, it turns out that pit is worth a save. We've rounded up several ideas for what to do with an avocado pit. You may be surprised! Keep reading for our tips, plus unexpected ways to use leftover avocado.
What to do with an avocado pit: Make avocado seed tea
One of the easiest ways to reuse the pits is in the kitchen. “Avocado pits can be used to create a light earthy-flavored tea,” shares Lydia Sims, procurement director of Pearl Lemon Catering and How Matcha. You may, however, want to add a little honey, cinnamon or ginger to balance out the flavor. This homemade tea has been proven to be helpful for lowering cholesterol and aiding digestion. (Click through for more on the benefits of avocado seed tea, and to learn why avocado is one of the best cortisol-lowering foods to tame stress).
What you’ll need:
One or two avocado pits that have dried for at least 3 days
3-4 cups of water
Honey and spices to taste
To do:
Rinse the avocado seeds in cool tap water to remove any debris.
Add the pits and water to a tea kettle or small saucepan, then bring to a boil for 5 to 10 minutes or until soft.
Remove the skin, then grate or slice the soft, boiled avocado pits into smaller pieces. Return to the kettle or saucepan and boil for another 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, then strain brewed tea into a mug. Sweeten with honey or spices to taste.
Follow along in the video below:
What to do with an avocado pit: Create infused oils
You can also use avocado pits to add unique flavor to various dishes. “You can actually use them to infuse oils with a subtle, earthy flavor,” says Jessica Randhawa, who shares recipes on The Forked Spoon. “Just clean the pit, gently roast it to enhance its flavor, then allow it to steep in your choice of oil over a low heat for a few hours. The result is a uniquely flavored oil that can add an exciting twist to your salads and marinades or for drizzling over cooked dishes.” Tip: Strain the oil before using it to ensure you remove any fragments of the pit.
What to do with an avocado pit: Whip up broth
Another way to re-use the pit for cooking: Use it to create nutrient-rich, flavorful broths, soups and stocks. Simply roast the avocado pits in your oven until they turn golden brown, then allow them to simmer in a large pot of water.
Follow the same process you would with chicken or ham bones to make a scrumptious base for countless soup recipes. You can even prep for winter by whipping up some broth or stock during the summer when avocados are in season. Just pop as many containers as you can squeeze in your freezer!
What to do with an avocado pit: Make an all-natural dye
If you enjoy crafting or working with yarn in your free time, avocado pits can come in handy! “You can use avocado pits is by extracting color from them,” explains food influencer Thanh Dang, founder of Food Senpai. “It can be done to create a natural dye for various projects.”
First, remove any remaining avocado flesh from the pits, ensuring they are clean and dry. Next, cut the avocado pits into smaller pieces using a knife or grate them. “Smaller pieces will expose more surface area, aiding in color extraction,” adds Dang. Place the pit pieces into a pot and add enough water to cover them completely. Bring the water to a boil, then simmer for 1 to 2 hours.
After that, use a cheesecloth or strainer to separate the dye from the solid pieces. Let the liquid dye cool completely. “You can use it for dyeing fabrics, yarn or other materials by dipping the material into the dye and letting it soak to achieve the desired color,” he explains. “If you don't plan to use the dye immediately, store it in a sealed container in the refrigerator.” Note: Like other natural dyes, it's best to use the dye as soon as possible as it doesn't have the same longevity as synthetic dyes.
See how to make your own dye below:
What to do with an avocado pit: Boost hair growth
No need to splurge on pricey products to revitalize hair. “One of my favorite uses for avocado pits is making a homemade hair rinse for growth,” says Houna Bech, who shares beauty tips on her website With Houna.
To do: Bring a pot of water to boil and add a few smashed pits. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes, then remove from heat. Allow to cool completely before straining out the pit pieces.
“Store the infused water in a spray bottle for an uplifting scalp massage a few times a week,” adds Bech. “The vitamins and minerals in the pits are believed to promote circulation and nourish your follicles from root to tip.”
What to do with an avocado pit: Make wind chimes
You love the sound of wind chimes, but those that are made of metal are often too loud for your taste. A fun alternative: Make one with avocado pits!
“You'll need to get some wood dowels and make a cross out of them,” says DIY expert David Bakke, of money-saving website DollarSanity. “Then hang some very well-dried-out avocado pits from the dowels, as close together as possible.” (Feel free to paint them to add extra color!) Next, hang the wind chimes outdoors and enjoy the soothing sound when the hollow pits knock into each other.
Surprising uses for avocado
The pit isn’t the only versatile part of the fruit! The avocado flesh can be used in a variety of ways, as well that you may not expect.
Make creamy desserts
The rich texture and mild taste of avocado make it a perfect base for vegan-friendly tarts or ice-cream. Perfectly paired with citrus fruits, vanilla, or chocolate, creamed avocado will soak up any flavor of choice. (Try our chocolate mousse cake made with avocados).
Create a face mask
Avocados are full of healthy fats, which makes them super nourishing when used topically as a face mask. If your skin is feeling dry, mash up some avocado and add 1 tablespoon of honey (or 1 teaspoon of natural yogurt, depending on what you have in the pantry or fridge) and spread it onto your face using your hands.
Leave it on for about 10 to 15 minutes, then remove it using a cloth and some warm water. You’ll be surprised at how soft your skin feels afterward!
Serve it as a substitute pasta sauce
Looking for a velvety, fresh alternative to the classic heavy carbonara? With a little help from basil and garlic, blended avocado can be worked through your preferred pasta to create a delicious pesto.
The fruit can also be whipped with lemon, vinegar and oil to create a healthy and useful vegan-friendly mayo that can be spread on burgers and salads or as a dipping sauce for fries.
For more brilliant uses for kitchen"throwaways," keep reading!
What to Do With Leftover Juicer Pulp: 10 Genius Ideas Sure to Surprise You
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15 Brilliant Uses for Banana Peels — From Whitening Teeth to Warding Off Pests
