There's an easy way to tell if an avocado is ripe. Press your finger gently into the skin. It should yield to pressure without feeling too hard or too soft.

You can prepare your avocado using a chef’s knife. Just cut lengthwise through the skin until the blade hits the pit. Then work your way around the pit creating two halves.

Twist the halves apart.

Carefully use the blade of the knife to hit the pit and remove it.

With a spoon, gently separate the avocado from the peel and scoop out the flesh in one piece. Slice it on a cutting board with the cut side down.