17, 2024
Think you know a lot about avocados?
Shutterstock / Brent Hofacker
Weve definitely jumped onboard the avocado bandwagon.
But theres much more toavocadosthat goes beyond smashing them on toasted bread.
Lets get a handle on this fruit.
Most avocados come from Mexico.
The conquistadors were huge fans.
As a result of the Spanish Conquest, avocados spread to South America and Central America.
Sadly, they had yet to learnhow to make avocado toast.
Avocado wasnt its original name.
Irishman Sir Hans Sloane called it an avocado in 1696 in a Jamaican-plants catalog.
He also dubbed the avocado tree the alligator pear tree.
Its relatively new to the United States.
It wasnt until the 1950s when Americans turned to avocados.
This makes it a relatively new food in our country.
Its actually a fruit.
Did you know that an avocado is a fruit?
While definitely not sweet, it falls firmly in the fruit-not the vegetable-family.
Thats because the avocado tree is part of the flowering-plant family Lauraceae.
If this surprised you, then heres a list of other unusualfood factsthat will blow your mind.
The U.S. harvest is best in the spring and early summer.
Their growing season typically wraps by November.
Some famous celebrities are avocado farmers.
Also on Foxxs 40-acre ranch?
There are different varieties.
Avocados taste and texture depend on the region theyre from.
Theyve one-upped the banana.
Hard to believe, but its true: Avocados have higher levels of potassium than bananas.
So throw avocado spears into your smoothie, why dont you?
Start with this recipe forGreen Breakfast Smoothie.
Avocados may help lower your cholesterol.
Trying to improve your health?
Fold more avocados into your diet.
The peel isnt good for Fido.
Be sure to toss avocado remains in the garbage (or compost).
The skin and pit can be harmful, and even toxic, to cats and dogs.
- it’s possible for you to substitute it for butter.
Want to give it a go?
Keep in mind that avocados can give a green hue to the finished dish.
For more creative substitutes, check out ourfavorite recipes with secret ingredients.
Theres a secret trick to ripening them up quick.
Need to ripen that avocado ASAP?
Place it in a brown paper bag with a banana or two.
The bananas will release ethylene gas, a natural plant hormone that aids in ripening fruit.
On the other hand,check out this guideto learnhow to store anavocadoto keep it fresh for a long.
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