What are those black/brown specks in avocados?

[dextera3]

It's always hard to find the "perfect" avocado. Most of the ones I've bought recently have been full of black/brown specks. Are these still okay to eat? They smell and taste okay, so I've been eating them. Does anyone know what those discolored specks are? :confused:

[Crisyn]

I am not sure exactly what the specks are - I always assumed it was just the avocado getting overripe - like a banana.
But I eat them with the spots too, and if they are really black, then I just mash them up with salsa and I can't even tell the difference.
Funny thing though is my children - who at 18 months don't yet choose their food by appearance - will almost always refuse to eat avocados with black spots, even when they are mashed up, so maybe they do taste different and I am just not noticing. :confused:

[Beckla]

Yeah - the only time I've seen them is when the avacado is overripe.

[tvillemom]

If there are too many, I don't eat mine, thinking they are overripe and going bad. I seem to get a tummy ache from eating the ones that are too "brown". They start to smell funny to me also. Just a few spots though, and I eat it anyway...usually cutting out the little spot.
Wendi