Rina Tyagi

Another potential cause of bitterness, especially if it's localized, is eating too close to the skin or the pit. The concentration of those bitter compounds (persin) is highest in the dark green flesh immediately under the skin and in the layer surrounding the pit. If you scrape the skin with a spoon to scoop the flesh, you might be getting some of that bitter layer. Similarly, if you cut too aggressively into the pit, you can taint the surrounding fruit. To avoid this, be gentle when scooping. Use a spoon to get the clean flesh away from the skin, and carefully slice around the pit without mashing the bitter part into the good part. Sometimes, a slight bitterness near the skin is normal, but it shouldn't pervade the entire fruit.