AVOCADO
FACT SHEET
The avocado dates back to the early 1500’s and at the
time of the Spanish conquest were grown from Northern
Mexico, through Central America and into South America
as far as Peru.
In the 1700’s European sailors called it midshipman’s butter because they
liked to spread it on hardtack biscuits.
Now, the two most popular avocado varieties are the Hass avocado, which
weighs about half a pound and has a black pebbly skin when ripened, and
the Fuerte avocado, which has a smooth, thin, green skin.The Hass avocado
is unique because it is the only avocado to be grown all year round.
Why should we eat avocado?
Unfortunately many people believe that
avocados are bad for us as they are high in
fat and therefore avoid them in their diet.
In reality avocados are high in essential fats
and low in saturated fat and therefore play
a role in weight management as essential
fats help to speed up the metabolism.
Avocados are rich in many vitamins and
minerals such as vitamin E, vitamin B6,
Vitamin C and potassium. Vitamins C and
E are also antioxidants which help protect
against free radical damage which may
contribute to disease.
Beneath the thick outer skin of the avocado
is a soft texture with a seed in the middle.
The outer skin and the seed are discarded
and the versatile creamy inner flesh may be
used to create many dishes:
Mash an avocado in a bowl with a fork
to make a dip and mix with lemon juice
and chilli to create guacamole
Slice or cube an avocado to place in a salad
Blend avocado in a blender with fruit to
create a smoothie
AVOCADO
Test for ripeness!
Place the avocado in your hand. Gently squeeze with
your hand. If this leaves a dent then it is ripe for eating.
FACT SHEET
Avocados must reach full
maturity before they are picked,
however, they do not soften on
the tree. The tree can be used
as a storage unit by keeping the
avocados on the tree for many
months after maturing!
Spanish conquistadors found
that a milky liquid yielded
from the avocado seed turned
red when exposed to air and
could be used as ink to write
documents, some of which are
still in existence today!
The avocado is also called and
Alligator Pear because of its
pear like shape and green skin
A single Californian avocado
tree can absorb as much
carbon as is produced by
a car driven 26,000 miles
Two mature avocado trees
can provide enough oxygen
for a family of four
One avocado tree produces
nearly 260 pounds
of oxygen each year
Brazilians add avocado
to icecream
Filipinos puree avocados
with sugar and milk
for a dessert drink
Avocado has the
highest protein
content of any fruit
Avocado is a fruit and
not a vegetable…
It is actually a member
of the berry family!
What do you call 50 avocados rolling down a hill? An avolanche!
What’s green and squishy and spends a lot of time underwater? An avocado with an aqua lung!
Where can you find a salad in a clothing store? In the dressing room!