With all the avocado vegan smoothies, healthy juices and salad recipes scattered on the internet, there is no doubt that this pear-shaped fruit is one of the go-to foods of today’s health buffs.

In this article, we talk about its history and the different varieties, as well as discuss why this wonder-fruit is considered a superfood.

The History Of Avocado

In 1696, it is believed that the word “avocado” was first invented by an Irish naturalist, Sir Hans Sloane. The word “avocado” is derived from the Nahuatl word “ahuacatl”, which means “testicle”.

But avocado has been around since the earliest of days. Researchers have concluded that humans began growing avocados about 5,000 years ago. It was first discovered by the Mesoamericans: tribes like the Olmec, Maya, Aztecs and Inca. Ever since, avocado has been a part of Mexican culture and cuisine.

Spanish explorers soon discovered avocado in the 16^th century. Before they officially named it avocado, they called the fruit “aguacate”. The taste of this fruit left the Spaniards open-mouthed, inspiring them to bring and grow their own avocados in their own land. The Spanish Invasion spread the popularity of this fruit through to Central and South America, England, Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia.

Types Of Avocado

Did you know that there are a lot of different types of avocado? Before you eat one today, let’s check out the most popular ones and their characteristics.

Hass – Considered as the most popular. This avocado is available all year round. When ripe, the skin turns to purplish-black. The flesh is fatty with a distinguished nutty flavor and the fruit is high in its oil content.

Bacon – A medium-sized avocado and more available in areas with low winter temperatures. The fruit has a light taste and is available from fall to spring.

Fuerte – Characterized by its smooth green skin, this type of avocado has a great taste which makes it good for using in any food. Unlike Hass, Fuerte’s skin remains the same in color even when ripe. Harvesting period is from fall through spring.

Pinkerton –This avocado starts out a pale green and darkens when ripening. Given its large size, this type tends to lack in flavour.

Reed – More popular in food service kitchens, this avocado is characterized by a green skin with a rich flesh. It is harvested in the months of summer and fall.

Zutano – This type can be recognized by its shiny yellow-green skin. Zutano is a season opener, as it is one of the earliest kinds to be harvested in the avocado season, which begins each September.

Mexicola – This avocado has a high tolerance in a chilly weather, so they grow well in regions with cooler temperatures. It is available from late summer through October.

Superfood

Avocado contains an enormous amount of fats, more than any other fruit. These fats are mostly monounsaturated fat, which is a good and healthy kind. Monounsaturated fat contains a wide range of phytonutrients that provide important anti-inflammatory benefits and offer positive effects on blood cholesterol levels.

This versatile fruit is not called a superfood for no reason: it offers numerous health benefits. Avocados contain 60% more potassium than bananas and have two to three times the amount of protein as other fruits. Furthermore, they contain almost 20 vitamins and minerals.

Regular intake of avocado can aid with insulin regulation, weight and blood sugar control, and prevent diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, and cancer.

A Vegetarian’s Best Friend

Going back to the 1500s, the Aztecs believed that this fruit could be an aphrodisiac. Using avocado in their everyday lives they invented guacamole, which at that time they called “ahuaca-mulli” which translates to avocado mixture. Guacamole is a traditional dip made primarily of avocado, with added seasonings. It is a simple dish with a savoury flavour.

Non-vegetarians and vegans alike are in love with this incredible mixture. It is used in salad dressings, sandwiches, soups, and as a dip.

Although there are a lot of recipe variations of guacamole today, the main ingredients stay the same: mashed avocados seasoned with onion, tomatoes, and chilies. Guacamole pizzas and guacamole vegetarian tacos are some of the new meals available in the market.

Here is a classic guacamole recipe that you will surely enjoy:

Ingredients

• 3 avocados – peeled, pitted and mashed

• 1 lime, juiced

• 1 teaspoon salt

• ½ cup diced onion

• 3 tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro

• 2 tomatoes, diced

• 1 tsp. minced garlic

• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper (optional)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and garlic. Season with cayenne pepper. Refrigerate one hour for best taste.

Avocado is, indeed, one of the oldest traditional foods. If you’re trying to start a healthy lifestyle or become a vegetarian, avocado can be a great stepping stone to help you begin your journey of good eating habits. Start now by replacing your coffee in the morning with an avocado smoothie or juice instead.

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