Products
Avocados are available in grocery stores. Pure avocado oil, for example, is sold in pharmacies and drugstores.
Stem plant
The avocado tree from the laurel family (Lauraceae) is native to Central America and is cultivated in California, Mexico and Peru, among other places.
Plant Parts
The avocado is the pear- or egg-shaped berry fruit of the plant. It has a green, leathery skin that encloses the flesh and a single large, brown seed. Several cultivars exist, and their fruits differ in appearance. Avocados are ripe when they yield to light pressure in the palm of the hand. The ripening process can be accelerated by placing avocados in a paper bag. An apple or kiwi can also be placed in the bag.
Ingredients
- Fatty oil (high percentage): avocado oil (avocado oleum), which consists of monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and saturated fatty acids.
- Fibers / dietary fiber
- Proteins
- Few carbohydrates and sugars
- Minerals, vitamins
- Carotenoids
- Phytosterols
Effects
Avocados are considered healthy because of the nutritional content. The high fat content is not considered detrimental because it is a vegetable oil with many unsaturated fatty acids. Avocados may be able to counteract the development of cardiovascular disease (Dreher, Davenport, 2013).
Indications for use
- As food: the buttery and creamy flesh has a pleasant nutty flavor and can be eaten on a slice of bread, for example, with herbal salt and lemon juice. Avocados are also used to prepare guacamole, which is used as a dip. In addition, there are many other uses in the kitchen, for example, for salad or desserts.
- The fatty oil is contained in numerous personal care products and in cosmetics.
The seeds can be planted. How to do this is very nicely illustrated here: http://www.wikihow.com/Grow-an-Avocado-Tree
Undesirable effects
The flesh of the fruit quickly turns brown when stored because it is oxidized. This process can be slowed by wrapping sliced avocados in plastic wrap (excluding air) or by adding lemon or lime juice, for example. Vinegar would also be suitable.
