Everyone knows guacamole makes a moreish dip for nachos. Many people struggle to come up with other ideas to make the most of avocados. Yet they are so much more than an exciting accompaniment for nachos and other dips. For starters, they are a mini health hurricane! In today’s post we’re taking a look at what they have to offer in terms of health benefits, what to look out for when buying avocados, and how to store them… as well as touching on other things.
Not All Avocados Are The Same
The avocado made its way to the United States by way of Mexico in the 19th century. 95% of avocado production in the United States is located in Southern California and it is from here that the most famous avocado variety hails from. Named after the Californian mailman who owned the original tree, the Hass avocado is the most recognizable avocado.
How to recognize Hass Avocados
- They tend to be small and oval-shaped
- They have a rich and nutty flavor
- Their skin is thick purplish-blac with an uneven texture
The other famous variety is the “Fuerte” avocado.
How to recognize Fuerte Avocados
- They a re pear-shaped and have a neck
- Their taste is mild and creamy
- They have a smooth and green skin
Ready To Eat? Some Ripeness Tips…
Anyone who has ever bought an avocado will have wondered how to tell if it is fresh or ripe. There is no single answer to this question, because it all depends on the variety. For example, take the Fuerte and Hass avocados:
If you decide to buy a Hass avocado, remember this: as the avocado ripens, its color will change from green to black. A ripe fruit will give slightly when gently pressed. If the avocado is wrinkled, it is overripe.
Another tip: Don’t buy a Hass avocado that is already black, because you have no way of knowing how long it has been this color. It may already be overripe.
In contrast to the Hass, you can tell how ripe a Fuerte avocado by simply looking at it. As soon as black areas appear on the green skin, the fruit is spoiled and is no longer edible. Never leave a Fuerte avocado until it turns black!
For other varieties: If it gives slightly when gently pressed, it is ready to eat. Whether ripe or unripe, all these varieties have a green skin.
What’s Inside Really Counts. Avocado Seeds: A Mine Of Healthy Nutrients
Avocado seeds normally receive little or no attention; the majority of people don’t realize that, nutritionally, they have a whole lot to offer and that they can easily be put to good culinary use. Check out the following ideas and get inspired:
Grate a little avocado seed into granola, salads or smoothies. Its abundant nutrients, antioxidants and vitamins help boost your immune system.
Grate the seed and add hot water to make a terrific tea, which might well help with burning fat. The seed’s active constituents and amino acids are believed to stimulate metabolism.
Want to give your skin or hair a boost? Stir some powdered avocado seed into water to form a paste. Apply the paste directly to your skin, or mix it with coconut oil to make a hair conditioner.
Avocado: Versatility WAY Beyond Guacamole
There are many great ways to enjoy this versatile fruit: raw, as an ingredient to enliven a salad, as a delightful dip or in a sensuous smoothie! Avocados work very well in sauces, too. Their high fat content means they deliver a particularly smooth and buttery sauce, allowing you to forget the cream etc. They can also be a surprisingly welcome addition to dessert dishes. When combined with lime, avocados make a delicious cheesecake.
Open up your life to a whole new taste experience!
Storage
You can store an avocado that is not ripe yet it at normal room temperature. This will speed up the ripening process. As soon as it is ripe, place it in your fridge. It will stay fresh for up to 12 days.
Take an avocado out of the fridge about one hour before you need it. It will be easier to prepare.
Don’t want to use the whole avocado at once? Leave the stone in the second half and drizzle it with a little lemon juice. This will prevent unappealing brown spots and stop it spoiling too quickly. Cover the avocado half with cling film, put it back in the fridge. Make sure you use it without too much delay.
Food Facts
The avocado is not a vegetable. It is a fruit belonging to the laurel family, alongside its cousins bay, cinnamon and camphor. Its high fat content might well have earned it the name “butter fruit”, but there’s no need to avoid these wonders. The fats in avocados are unsaturated and are very healthy. Avocados are good news for anyone with high cholesterol . They don’t contain even a trace of cholesterol. If eaten when perfectly ripe, they can even help to reduce cholesterol levels. Avocados provide plenty of essential vitamins, such as A, B, C and E, and are rich in potassium, calcium and iron. So there’s very good reason to tuck in without delay – your body will thank you for it!