Avocado is a pear-shaped, dark green fruit with high nutrient value. Mexico is the world’s #1 avocado producing country, followed by the Dominican Republic, Peru, Indonesia, and Colombia. The fruit grows in smaller quantities in many other countries as well as Brazil, Kenya, the US, Venezuela, Israel, China, South Africa, Guatemala, Chili, Haiti, Australia, and others. I should should know what does avocado taste like, I eat them daily.
Botanically, the fruit is actually a large berry. It has a large seed inside. Many say that the fruit originated possibly in Mexico’s Tehuacan Valley. However, there is fossil evidence that shows that avocado was widespread millions of years earlier. Domestication first happened in Mexico, Guatemala, or the West Indies.
What Does Avocado Taste Like?
Avocado has a unique taste and some people describe the flavor as slightly buttery, while others say it feels like a cold veggie soup. Avocado has a grassy and earthy flavor, but it is not as earthy as mushrooms. There is also a little hint of lemon. The taste is slightly sweet and very light. You will feel the freshness in your mouth when you take a bite. Normally, the fruit has a mellow and rich flavor.
Some people have described the taste like that of celery, but without the acidic undertone and strong flavor. The closest flavor to avocado you will find is in zucchini. Of course, it is not as starchy as zucchini, which is a variety of squash.
So it can be said that the taste of avocado is –
- Buttery
- Creamy
- Earthy
- Grassy
- Slightly lemony
But the taste can vary depending on how ripe your fruit is. For example, the fruit will taste bland and watery if it is unripe. The taste can be very bitter. The flesh of an unripe avocado will also be hard.
The first thing you will notice when eating an avocado is its creaminess. While cutting the fruit in half, you will see the knife sliding through the flesh easily, as in butter. You can take out the pit easily. It will come out cleanly. However, you will face problems in slicing and dicing the fruit if it is not ripe. It will be very firm.
How to Know Whether Your Avocado Is Ripe?
The fruit’s color will change when it gets ripe. In an unripe state, it will be bright green and firm. But once it becomes ripe, the fruit will have a deep purplish color, which looks almost black. Darker colored fruits are riper. If the fruit gets too ripe, then it’s inside will become brown and too mushy. The best fruits for eating are the ones that are perfectly ripe or medium-ripe.
You can also find out whether it is ripe by taking the fruit in your hand. It will be firm if the fruit is unripe. Ripe avocados, on the other hand, will yield slightly to gentle but firm touch. You cannot eat an unripe fruit. It must be at least medium-ripe.
Ripening the fruit at home – Most recipes require that you work with a medium-ripe fruit. You can fully ripen these fruits in 1-2 days at room temperature. Green, unripe fruits will need 4-5 days before they become fully ripe. Here’s a tip if you have to speed up the ripening. Just keep your avocado in a paper bag with a banana and apple. You will get the result you want.
Add some soya sauce, lemon or tomato juice to enhance its deliciousness. Anything tart or salty will make avocado’s unique taste even better.
Does it Taste Like Eggs or Fish?
Some people have noted that cooking or steaming avocado makes the fruit taste like hard-boiled eggs. Others feel that there is a distinct eggy flavor when the fruit is consumed raw. This is probably because, like egg yolks, avocados have a lot of carotenoids, sulfurous compounds, and fats. In fact, avocados are one of the richest fruit sources of fatty acids and fats.
Overripe avocados have a musky flavor, which gives a fishy taste. So if you get this taste then you will know that the avocado is past its prime. Others have described the smell of a rotten avocado like that of a pumpkin or squash. Its color will be brownish or darker yellow.
Why Is Avocado a Superfood?
This warm-climate fruit is considered a superfood as it is packed with nutrients. One serving, which is 1/5th of the fruit, will give you 64 calories, 6 grams of fat, 3 grams of fiber, 3.4 grams of carbohydrate, and less than a gram of sugar.
The fruit offers many health benefits –
- Vitamins – It is loaded with vitamin B5, B6, vitamin C, E, and vitamin E.
- Potassium – You will have more potassium from this fruit than bananas.
- Fatty Acids – Avocados provide you with heart-healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. Besides, you will also get the beta-sitosterol plant sterol, which can help maintain a healthy level of cholesterol in the body.
- Fiber – The fruit is also rich in fiber. Soluble fiber feeds the friendly bacteria within our intestines and is very important for optimal body functioning. Adequate fiber intake helps in bowel movement. This is critical for the elimination of toxins.
- Lowers Cholesterol – It can lower the level of cholesterol and triglycerides. Studies have revealed that the level of blood triglycerides can be lowered by up to 20%, and the LDL cholesterol level can go down by 22%. The level of HDL or good cholesterol will also increase by 11%.
- Antioxidants – Avocados are also packed with powerful antioxidants, which protect our eyes.
- Cancer Prevention – The fruit may even prevent cancer, according to the result of some studies, especially prostate cancer. Besides, test-tube studies have revealed that it can bring down the side effects of chemotherapy as well.
- Arthritis – Together with soybean oil extract, avocado can provide relief from the symptoms of arthritis, a common problem in the western world.
- Depression Management – Foods with high folate levels can decrease the risk of depression as folate prevents the build-up of homocysteine, which impairs circulation and prevents the brain from receiving adequate nutrients.
Conclusion
There are so many ways to eat an avocado. You can have a smoothie, eat guacamole like the Mexicans, eat the fruit raw, include it as an ingredient in salads and soups, and you can also grill the fruit. Make sure to eat avocado regularly.
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via New Kitchen Special
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