Summer is the peak of avocado season, so here's what you need to know about them, besides how wonderful they taste on just about everything, of course.
According to YumSugar, avocados are native to Mexico, but those that are grown in the United States usually come from Southern California. Outside of the North American continent, avocados can also be found in Etheopia, Indonesia, and China.
Although the egg-shaped Haas avocados are the most popular in the United States, other varieties of the fruit (which, botanically speaking is a very large berry with a single seed) can come in round or pear shapes.There are, in fact, seven varieties that grow in the country. The round ones are called Gwen, and the pear-shaped ones are called Fuertes. It was perhaps the shape of the fruit which led to its name in the Nahuatl language, ahuácatl. In English, this word is translated to mean "testicle."
While avocados grow well in warm, humid environments, you don't ever want to raise an avocados temerature too much. When the fruit is cooked, it becomes bitter and looses that buttery flavor that makes it so delicious. On the other hand, keeping an avocado cold by storing it in the refrigerador will slow down the ripening process.
Much like bananas and tomatoes, this fruit is climacteric, meaning that it reaches full maturity on the tree but only ripens after it's been picked off the tree.
Just as important, an article on Yahoo Shine shows how to properly cut and dice the fruit.
Now, who wants some guacamole?
