Thursday, February 2, 2012

Have An Avocado

From a report on "The Press" by Kate Fraser


The avocado is a native of South America which explains its name. It's from the Aztec word for testicle - ahuacatl - an apt enough description of the oval fruit on the tree.

It is a contrary fruit. It seldom ripens on the tree and can hang for months waiting to fall or be picked, whereupon it starts to soften. Its flesh is buttery and, according to WordofMouth food blogger, "slicked with lipids" (descriptive but misleading; fat in an avocado is mono-unsaturated fat, which helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels), but avocado is now recognised as a superfruit, a valuable source of fibre, iron, vitamin C and vitamin B6 and containing high levels of potassium.

[.....]


AVOCADO FACTS
* The Guinness Book of World Records lists the avocado as the most nutritionally complete fruit in the world.
* To ensure evenly ripened fruit, buy unripe hass avocado and ripen at home. Place in a bag with an apple, or in a fruit bowl with bananas. When the skin is black the fruit is ripe. They will hold in a refrigerator for up to four days.

(Read the full report here) ... some great recipes too

No comments:

Post a Comment