Foodisms: Smart Info About a Smart Food - Avocados
How the Avocado Came to Be Called the Avocado
Avocado Tree
Avocados Become Popular Around the World
The Spaniards were the first Europeans to be introduced to avocados and brought it back to Europe for that part of the world to discover its tastiness,. Because of its creaminess, it was used as a form of butter. It was considered a luxury food only fit for royalty. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Europe started to discover and appreciate the tastiness of the avocado. During approximately the mid 1800’s avocado trees were planted in Floruda and California, The University of California, Berkeley is thought to have the oldest living avocado tree. The tree was planted in 1879, and still grows on the campus today. New York started to learn about avocados in 1895. In order for avocados to start to gain popularity, the sexual rumors of the avocado had to be dispelled,
- 1750 Indonesia is introduced to avocados
- Middle East 1908 were introduced to avocados
- South Africa and Austraila got avocados in late 1800’s
- California is the largest grower of avocado in the U.S, with more avocados grown in Fallbrook CA than anywhere else in the United Statesand hosta a yeraly avocado festival each April
- There are over 6,000 avocado growers in California
Avocados are a SuperFood
The Avocado Festival brings people from all over the U.S. Of the approximately 70,000 attendess 38% outside the San Diego area, and from twelve different states. This year it takes place on April 17, 2011. Approximately 70,000 people attend. The day brings in about $1,750,000 in revenue from store and street booth sales. This year is Fallbrook’s 25th anniversary of the festival.
The avocado is a fruit and is known as a superfood because of the many, many health benefits it offers. It has no cholesterol, no sodium, and is healthy for your heart because of its natural mono and poly unsaturated fat content. In addition, avocados are full of great vitamins and nutrients, including potassium, folate, magnesium, vitamin B6, vitamin E, vitamin C, and dietary fiber. Avocados have sixty percent per ounce, more potassium than bananas. Avocados promote healthy blood flow, and helps to lower blood press
Location of Annual Avocado Festival
Fallbrook, California is the avocado capital of the world. Every April they have a street festival. If you are in the area, you might want to go.
Eating Instructions
To pick the perfect avocado
- Select avocados that feel firm avocados if you are looking to eat them several day later.
- If you want to eat them within the next day or so, pick an avocado that presses in when you gently touch it.
- You can not always tell if an avocado is ripe by its color
- To ripen avocados, put them in a brown paper bag for a few days, anywhere from 2-5 days. If you need it faster, put a banana or an apple in the bag and keep at room temperature.
- After the avocados are ripe, you can store them in the refrigerator. When you are ready to eat them, wash skin. Cut the avocado in half, and remove the seed by gently twisting both halves and separate slightly twisting the two halves until they come apart, and remove the seed. With a spoon, you can scoop the avocado meat out of the skin, or you can peel the skin with a knife or a potato peeler.
- To keep the avocado meat looking fresh and green color sprinkle it with lemon juice, or lime juice, or white vinegar, if you are not eating the avocados right away.
Avocado are a Green Food and Green for the Environment
Avocados are good for the environment. They are one of the lowest fruits and vegetables using pesticides. Avocado orchards help keep our air fresher by absorbing carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen. The trees lower the air temperature in the environmen by evaporating water into their leaves. The roots of the tres help prevent erosion and stabilize the soil they are planted in. The orchards provide necessary shelter for wildlife.
- There are more than 500 varieties of avocados worldwide.
- There are 7 different varieties. Hass is the most popular in the United States.
- One mature avocado tree can produceabout 500 avocados each year (about 200 pounds of fruit) but the average tree produces about 150 avocados (about 60 pounds)
- Approximately 50 million pounds of avocados are consumed on Super Bowl Sunday
- Avocados trees are related to bay laurels, camphor and cinnamon plants
- Hass avocado is the most popular variety and the only one grown year round
- Avocados are a fruit, related to the berry
- about 43% of U.S. households buy avocados
- Avocados were one of Richard Nixon’s (the only U,S, President to resign) favorite foods
You Can Still Love Avocados Even Though Richard Nixon Liked Them Too!
RICHARD NIXON'S AVOCADO SALAD
Mash 2 medium-sized avocados. Stir into slightly thickened lemon Jell-O base made with
1 package lemon Jell-O
3 tablespoons lemon juice
1 1/2 cups hot water
Stir in 1 can (#2) of grapefruit sections drained, and 1/2 cup chopped celery. Chill and unmold. Serve with a whipped cream and mayonnaise mixture.
recipe source: http://www.trivia-library.com
The Versatile Avocado Can Be Used for Foods, Faces, and Babies
There are many uses for avocados.
- good substitute for meats for vegetarians
- excellent in salads and sandwiches
- makes a nice addition to chicken
- can be spread on toast with a little salt and pepper
- popular as a filling in sushi dishes
- Brazil, Vietnam, and the Phillipines use avocados for milk shakes, dessert drinks and added to ice cream.
- great as a dip
- in home baked bread
- perfect baby food
- useful as a facial mask
- makes a great skin treatment
- nice as a hair conditioner
- as an eye cream
