Around the World in 40 Fruits – Volume 6 – (Article 6 of 40)
By Dr. Marli Botha
The Avocado is a fruit ! Sometimes also referred to as an alligator pear or avocado pear, is botanically a large berry containing a single large seed. Avocados are integral to Mexican cuisine, particularly in dishes like guacamole, and have a long history in Mesoamerican cultures. Mexico is a leading global producer of avocados, with a significant portion of the world’s avocado supply originating from the country
Let’s dig into the rich, creamy story of the beloved avocado!
- In 2023, world production of avocados was 10.5 million tonnes, led by Mexico with 29% (3 million tonnes) of the total.
- Some people have allergic reactions to avocado. There are two main forms of allergy: those with a tree-pollen allergy; the second, known as latex-fruit syndrome is related to latex allergy.
- The fruit of horticultural cultivars has a markedly higher fat content than most other fruit, mostly monounsaturated fat, and as such serves as an important staple in the diet of consumers who have limited access to other fatty foods (high-fat meats and fish, dairy products).
- A whole medium avocado contains about 22 grams of fat, with 15 grams being monounsaturated, 4 grams polyunsaturated, and 3 grams saturated.
- Having a high smoke point, avocado oil is expensive compared to common salad and cooking oils, and is mostly used for salads or dips.
- Avocados don’t ripen until they are picked from a tree.
- A squeeze of lemon keeps avocados from browning.
