Avocado seeds are quite large. You should be able to feel the seed pressing up against the blade of your knife when you slice through.

Once you’ve successfully extracted the seed, stick the rest of the avocado in an airtight food storage container or plastic baggie and try to use it within a day or two.

For a spotless shine, you can also scrub the seed with a soft-bristled vegetable brush. Avoid washing or soaking your seed with soap, vinegar, or any other type of cleaner. Not only will this strip away some of its healthy fats, it could also impact its final flavor.

You’ll know your seed is sufficiently dry when the thin outer skin cracks and begins to flake off. Atmospheric moisture will increase the seed’s overall drying time, so keep it out of humid rooms and away from frequently-used water sources like sinks and dishwashers.

Watch out for your thumbs here! It’s safer to pin down the edges of the paper towel to prevent the seed from moving than to hold onto the seed itself. Any high-powered blender or food processor will chew right through a whole, intact avocado seed, you can skip this step if you don’t want to bother with it. Just keep in mind that it will take longer to break the seed down if it’s still in one piece.

A basic coffee grinder will also work nicely for this task.

It’s possible to get the job done with a handheld mini-grater, as well. Just hold on tight and be extra careful. Keep your knuckles and the tips of your fingers clear of the grater blade. This project shouldn’t require any blood, sweat, or tears to be shed!

You can probably get away with storing your avocado seed powder at room temperature if you need to, so long as it remains sealed whenever you’re not using it. The smallest amount of moisture could cause the once-dry powder to clump or stick, making it harder to portion out.

Some sources claim that up to 70% of an avocado’s total antioxidant content can be found in its seeds, along with loads of vitamins, fatty acids, and other beneficial nutrients. Ground avocado seeds may also be an excellent source of dietary fiber. And since it’s a breeze to add to other foods, you won’t have to adjust your weekly menu. [11] X Research source

For extra scouring power, it may help to go with a coarser grind. Try working some of your avocado seed powder into a batch of lip or cuticle scrub to give your whole body some much-needed TLC. [13] X Research source