Buzz
The avocado might just be the most polarizing fruit of our generation. (Yes, it's a fruit—just in case you're still catching up on the avocado trend. Technically, it's a large berry containing a single seed known as a pit or stone. Bottom line: not a vegetable.)
We can't get enough of it on our toast, or blended with onions and cilantro in our tacos. But let's be honest, there's only so much avocado talk we can handle—especially when we've already had 18 conversations about them by Monday.
By 2019, avocado consumption in the United States was projected to hit an impressive 22.7 million kilograms (50 million pounds) per week. With that volume circulating, it's no wonder that avocados spark so much conversation. Keep reading to learn more mind-blowing and intriguing facts about this beloved fruit.
10. Avocados Are Toxic
The avocado contains a fungicidal toxin known as persin, which is harmless to humans but toxic to many animals. So, while we love our guacamole, it's best not to share it with our animal companions.
Persin—and by extension, avocados—can be harmful to birds, rabbits, cows, goats, horses, pigs, sheep, and even fish. In fact, avocado pits were once used in a South American folk remedy for rat poison, combined with cheese to kill rodents.
There have been rumors that avocados are poisonous to dogs, leading to numerous studies on their effects on our canine friends. Unfortunately, the findings have been inconsistent and contradictory.
Some reports suggest that dogs and cats may experience stomach issues after consuming persin, while others find no serious health problems. Although modern research indicates that dogs can safely eat avocados and that the toxicity is largely a myth, the pits still pose a choking hazard.
9. They Belong In The Bathroom
It may sound a bit strange, but applying a mash of avocado to your hair can actually promote growth. Thanks to its rich content of fatty amino acids, this superfood can coat hair strands and lock in moisture. By retaining moisture, it helps smooth and soften dry hair, supporting its strength and encouraging fast, healthy growth.
Avocados are packed with a range of vitamins and minerals—like copper, iron, and vitamins A, D, and E—that promote hair growth. A healthy scalp plays a key role as well, and avocados can soothe and hydrate dry scalps, keeping them moisturized and in optimal condition for growth.
If you're aiming to prevent hair loss or encourage your hair to grow long, shiny, and soft, keep avocados not just in your kitchen, but in your bathroom as well.
8. They Have A Rich History
While it's easy to think that the avocado's rise in popularity is purely due to its photogenic qualities (thanks to Instagram), its journey to stardom has a deep history. Much of our avocado obsession today can be traced back to Rudolph Hass and his children, who introduced the now-famous Hass avocado variety in the early 1900s.
Mr. Hass cultivated the new avocado variety in his own backyard. Prior to this, the fruit was enjoyed primarily in Central and South America, but not widely in the United States. It was known as ahuacate, a name that Americans found difficult to pronounce and that didn’t resonate well in the U.S. market.
The Hass avocado variety—one of over 400—is smaller, with thicker skin compared to other types, easier for farmers to grow, and boasts a delicious, nutty flavor. Mr. Hass’s superior avocado trees became more popular over the years, lowering prices and fueling greater demand for the fruit.
Another factor that boosted its popularity was the 1965 Immigration and Naturalization Act, which brought more Latin Americans—and their love for avocados—into the United States. Thanks to effective marketing and lower prices, Mr. Hass’s avocado is now in such high demand that shortages are being experienced across the continent.
7. They Are Part of Aphrodisiac Legends
Long ago, the avocado was widely enjoyed in Central and South America. The Aztecs called it ahuacate, which translates to 'testicle' due to the fruit's shape. Now, you can understand how the avocado's form led to this name, and its legendary status as an aphrodisiac in Aztec culture.
This was certainly a setback for the fruit’s marketing efforts in the early 20th century. At that time, most Americans were not eager to buy a fruit that had become so closely linked with being an aphrodisiac, whether the legend was true or not. To overcome this, California farmers coined a new name that greatly boosted the fruit’s popularity in the years that followed.
6. When We Think Avocado, We Should Think Cartel
The Michoacán region of Mexico provides the ideal conditions for growing avocados. The hot, fertile soil there produces more than half of the world’s avocados, and the large sales of this fruit account for 90 percent of the region’s revenue.
In recent years, there have been numerous reports of cartels kidnapping farmers and extorting landowners, with the avocado business becoming a significant target, alongside the cocaine trade. Farmers who refuse to hand over part of their profits have had their lives threatened, and their crops set on fire. A 2014 report revealed that one notorious gang made $152 million annually from terrorizing farmers in this region.
5. It’s Actually An Alligator Pear, Do You See It?
The avocado has a rather cool nickname that’s rarely used. According to legend, an early English term for the avocado was “avogado pear.” This likely resulted from a translation error or from someone uncertain about how to name the fruit.
This name evolved into “alligator pear.” Though it originated by mistake, the nickname actually fits the fruit quite well. Shaped like a pear, the avocado's skin resembles that of a reptile, specifically an alligator.
4. They Ripen When Around Friends
If you're eager to have your avocado ripe and ready to eat, there's a method to speed up the process. Some fruits, like apples, bananas, apricots, nectarines, and plums, emit ethylene gas, which helps the fruit ripen faster.
Place your avocados in a paper bag along with any of these fruits, and the gas will help both the avocado and the other fruits ripen more quickly. Keep an eye on them, as they could be ready to enjoy the very next day.
However, using the paper bag and fruit method can change the flavor of the avocado. Depending on how you plan to use it, this could be either a positive or negative outcome.
3. Avocados Might Offer Antiaging Benefits
Avocados are often regarded as a superfood due to their abundance of vitamins. They also contain healthy fats, protein, and antioxidants. Vitamins A and E found in avocados help keep your skin nourished and hydrated, and may support the health and youthfulness of your cells.
Incorporating avocados into our diet may help slow down the natural aging of our cells. Whether consumed as part of a meal or used topically in a face mask with ingredients like honey, yogurt, or oatmeal, avocados can enhance the radiance and youthfulness of your skin.
2. Avocados as a Butter Substitute
Health-conscious bakers have found that avocados can effectively replace butter in most muffin and cake recipes. Although achieving the right measurement may require a bit of calculation, the health benefits make it worthwhile.
Butter is high in calories and unhealthy fats. By swapping it with avocado in baked goods, you can reduce the calorie count by over half. A half avocado contains only about 109 calories.
While it may slightly alter the flavor, the benefits include a boost in protein intake and a reduction in cholesterol and saturated fat levels.
1. A Wealthy Entrepreneur Advised Us to Stop Eating Them
Why did a multimillionaire suggest we stop eating avocados? His reasoning is that if we continue spending on them, we might never be able to afford a home.
A 2017 study by HSBC revealed that just 35 percent of millennials in the United States were homeowners, with many citing insufficient savings for a down payment. During a 60 Minutes interview, real estate mogul Tim Gurner, then 35, claimed that extravagant spending on avocados was one of the main reasons people struggle to buy a home.
With ever-changing lifestyle standards and the rising cost of homes, this is definitely an issue worth considering!
