Avocados

Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable, belonging to the genus Persea in the Lauraceae family. This nutritious fruit comes in a number of varieties such as Hass, Fuerte and Reed.

Avo Nutrition Info

One-fifth of a medium avocado or about one ounce is 55 calories, but contributes beneficial nutrients such as fiber, potassium, Vitamin E and lutein to the diet.

Avocados act as a "nutrient booster" by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, such as alpha- and beta-carotene as well as lutein, in foods that are eaten with the fruit. Avocados provide more than 25 essential nutrients, including fiber, potassium, Vitamin E, B-vitamins, and folic acid.

Avocadoes provide beneficial phytochemicals such as glutathione (antioxidant), beta-sitosterol, and lutein. Phytonutrients are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases.

The avocado is virtually the only fruit that has monounsaturated fat. Individuals who have a craving for oils, but who do not do well with most fatty foods do well with avocado.  It is also rich in copper which aids red blood celss formation.

It is a nutritious protein source recommended for breastfeeding mothers.  They are also a good source of fibren and can be part of a calorie-reduced diet.

Avo Interesting Facts

The avocado (Persea americana) originated in south-central Mexico, sometime between 7,000 and 5,000 B.C. But it was several millennia before this wild variety was cultivated. Archaeologists in Peru have found domesticated avocado seeds buried with Incan mummies dating back to 750 B.C. and there is evidence that avocados were cultivated in Mexico as early as 500 B.C!

Some other avo trivia...

• Brazilians add avocados to ice cream Filipinos puree avocados with sugar and milk for a dessert drink.
• Latin Americans wrap avocados up and give them as wedding gifts.
• The avocado is also called an Alligator Pear because of its pear-like shape and green skin.
• Avocado is a corruption of the Spanish word aguacate, which is in turn a corruption of the Aztec word ahuacatl

Buy Some Organic Avocados Now!

Click here to check out organic avocadoes that are currently available in our fruit shopping aisles. Click here for more information on receiving a delicious fresh box of organic fruit and veges every week.