Today we are going to learn how to work with the popular avocado fruit. Some people also call it as alligator pear. The avocado is nutritious. We should add it in our diet each day for ideal fitness. Some people have the fear that they are high in fat and calories. The avocado is beneficial in all the right nutrients that supports our health. So let us understand how we should eat avocado
What is avocado
An avocado is a sort of natural fruit that is oval or pear-form. It has a green or purple skin and a creamy, rich texture. They are many times utilized in guacamole, sandwiches, and salads. An avocado contains high healthy monounsaturated fats and potassium. They are locally grown in Central and South America. It is a famous item in some sorts of cuisine.
Types of avocado
There are a wide variety in types of avocado. Let’s us see some of the most popular ones:
- Hass avocado: This is the most popular type of avocado in the world and has a dark, pebbled skin. It is popular for its creamy texture and nutty, rich flavour.
- Fuerte avocado: This type of avocado has a smooth, green skin and a mild, nutty flavour. It is one of the best avocados for eating fresh.
- Pinkerton avocado: This type of avocado is popular for its large size and creamy texture. It has a nutty flavour and a thick, pebbled skin that is greenish-black in colour.
- Gwen avocado: This type of avocado is popular for its creamy texture and nutty flavour. It has a small seed and a smooth, green skin.
- Reed avocado: This kind of avocado is famous for its big size, smooth and buttery texture. It has a nutty flavour and a thick, pebbled skin that is greenish-black in colour.
- Bacon avocado: This type of avocado is popular for its small size and creamy texture. It tastes nutty and has a smooth and green skin.
- Zutano avocado: This kind of avocado is famous for its smooth texture and mild flavour. It has a small seed and a smooth, yellow-green skin.
These are some examples and not an exhaustive list. There are many more varieties of avocado and new ones are being developed all the time.
How to understand whether your avocado is ripe
There are a couple of ways to understand whether an avocado is ripe and you can eat:
- Colour: A ripe avocado will have a dark, almost black colour. If it is still green that means it’s not ripe. We can’t eat it now.
- Give a delicate crush: A ripe avocado will yield to delicate pressure when crushed. If it feels rock hard, it is not yet ripe. If it feels mushy, it may be overripe.
- Take a look at the stem: Cut the stem from the highest point of the avocado. If the stem comes off in an easy manner and underneath is green, the avocado is ripe. If the avocado is brown in colour, it means that the avocado is overripe. If the stem does not come off in an easy manner, the avocado is not yet ripe.
- Check the skin: Ripe avocados will have slight roughness on the skin due to the natural oils.
- Smell: A ripe avocado will have a slight earthy smell.
It’s important to note that the time it takes for an avocado to ripen. This can vary depending on the variety and where it was grown. Some avocados may take several days to ripen, while others may be ready to eat in few hours.
If you are not sure whether an avocado is ripe, it’s best to wait a few days before trying it again.
How to cut an avocado
Start by slicing the avocado in half lengthwise, around the seed. Hold the avocado steady with one hand. Slice through the skin with a sharp knife with the other hand. Once the avocado is cut in half, twist the two halves to separate them. Remove the seed by twisting it with a spoon or by striking it with the blade of the knife and then twisting it out. To remove the avocado from the skin, slide a spoon between the flesh and the skin. Scoop out the avocado flesh, while keeping the skin intact. Once we remove the skin of avocado, you can dice or slice it as desired.
If you want to dice the avocado while it’s still in the skin, make lengthwise cuts. Then make crosswise cuts, creating small cubes. We should scoop the diced avocado with a spoon. Be careful when cutting and handling avocados, as the fruit can be slippery and the seed can be hard to remove. Always use a sharp knife and handle it with care to avoid injury.
How to store whole avocado
Here are a few tips on how to store whole avocados:
- If your avocados are not yet ripe: Keep them at room temperature until they are ripe. You can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. The ethylene gas emitted by these fruits will help the avocado ripen faster.
- If your avocados are ripe: Keep them in the refrigerator. This will slow down the ripening process and keep them fresh for a longer period of time.
- If you’ve cut an avocado: To prevent browning, store it with the pit in. Wrap it with plastic wrap or aluminium foil. We can also put it in an airtight container with a piece of lemon or lime to prevent oxidation.
Storing avocados in the refrigerator can affect their texture and flavour. They may become less creamy and gritty when chilled. So, it’s best to eat them at room temperature for the best taste and texture. The key to storing avocados is to keep them away from air and light. It is important to keep the temperature cool but not cold. You may not be sure whether an avocado is still good to eat. Give it a gentle squeeze; a ripe avocado should yield to gentle pressure.
How to store cut avocado
To prevent browning, store the cut avocado with the pit in. The pit will weaken the oxidation cycle that makes the avocado to become brown. If you’ve removed the pit, wrap the avocado with plastic wrap. We can also wrap with an aluminium foil to limit its exposure to air. Another technique is to store cut avocado in an airtight vessel. Keep a piece of lemon or lime with it. The acidity in the lemon or lime will stop the avocado from browning.
Refrigerate the cut avocado in a fridge. Cold temperatures will weaken the process of ripening. This will keep the avocado fresh for a longer duration. If you have leftover guacamole, press plastic wrap onto the surface. This will not allow browning of avocado. Storing cut avocado in the refrigerator can affect its texture and flavour. They may become less creamy and gritty when chilled. In this way, eating it at room temperature is the best way to get taste and texture. Remember to always check the cut avocado before consuming to make sure it is still fresh and safe to eat.
The most effective method to freeze avocado
The following are some of the best way to freeze avocado:
Cut the avocado in half from the centre and discard the pit. Then, dice or mash the skin of avocado. Now keep the diced or mashed avocado in an airtight vessel or a zip lock pouch. Remove the air before sealing the vessel or pouch. Mention the date and type of avocado on the container or bag before placing it in the freezer.
We can store frozen avocado in the freezer for as long as half year. When you wish to use the frozen avocado, defrost it in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Thawed avocado may not have the same texture as fresh avocado. But we can still use it in cooked dishes like guacamole, avocado toast, or smoothies.
Freezing avocado will change the texture and consistency of the fruit. It will be less creamy and crumbly when thawed. So, it’s ideal to use it in recipes where texture is not a main issue. We should not use frozen avocado in recipes where texture is a main concern, like in salads or as a garnish.
How to eat avocado
Avocado is a delicious and versatile fruit. We can relish it in different ways. We can eat avocado in form of salads, smoothies, dips and spreads. There are endless possibilities of adding avocado in your diet. With its creamy texture and nutty flavour, it is a great addition to any dish. It contains vital nutrients and minerals that are beneficial for health. So, it is time to discover the delicious ways to enjoy avocado and start incorporating it into your meals!
1. Salads
Salads are an extraordinary method to incorporate avocado into your eating routine. It gives a creamy texture and a nutty flavour to any salad preparation. We can add avocado to a variety of salads, such as green salads, fruit salads, and grain salads. It also makes a great topping for tacos and burritos.
2. Sandwiches
We can use avocado to make delicious sandwiches. It makes a great spread for sandwiches and we can add it to any type of sandwich. We can use avocado as a topping for burgers and hot dogs.
3. Smoothies
Avocado makes a great addition to smoothies. It adds a creamy texture and a subtle nutty flavour to any smoothie. We can blend avocado with fruits, vegetables. There are certain other ingredients to create a delicious breakfast smoothie or a healthy snack.
4. Soups
We can use avocado to make delicious soups. It adds a creamy texture and a subtle nutty flavour to any soup. We can add avocado to a variety of soups, such as tomato soup, squash soup, and black bean soup.
5. Dips and Spreads
We can use avocado to make delicious dips and spreads. It makes a great spread for sandwiches and we can add it to any type of dip or spread. We can use avocado to make guacamole, which is a popular Mexican dip.
6. Toast
Avocado is also a great topping for toast. It makes a delicious breakfast or snack and we can add it to any type of toast. Avocado toast is a popular dish that is easy to make and we can customize it with different toppings.
FAQ’s:
Ans: The best way to eat an avocado depends on personal taste and the intended use. Here are a few popular options:
· Guacamole: Mash the avocado and mix it with spices. We can add lime juice and other ingredients such as tomatoes and onions.
· Avocado Toast: Sliced avocado placed on top of toasted bread, often with a sprinkle of salt and pepper.
· In salads: We can add diced or sliced avocado to salads for a boost of flavour and healthy fats.
· As a spread: We can mash avocado and use it as a spread for sandwiches or wraps.
· In smoothies: We can blend avocados in smoothies. It will add creaminess and healthy fats.
It’s a matter of personal preference. You can experiment with different methods to find what you like best.
Ans: Eating a raw avocado is simple. Here are the steps:
· Rinse the avocado under running water to remove any dirt or debris.
· Cut the avocado in half lengthwise, using a sharp knife. Twist the two halves in opposite directions to separate them.
· Remove the pit from the avocado by tapping it with the knife and twisting it out.
· Peel the skin off the avocado by pulling it away from the flesh with your fingers or a spoon.
· Once you peel the avocado, you can eat it as is or slice or dice it as desired. You can add salt, pepper, lemon juice or any other seasonings to taste
It is important to note that avocados should be ripe before eating. You can check the ripeness of an avocado by pressing the skin; if it yields in a slight manner to the touch, it is ripe.
Ans: Avocados are eaten raw, as they are often used in salads and dips such as guacamole. We can also use it as a spread on sandwiches and toast. But we can also cook them. We can dice and add it to scrambled eggs. People can also mash and use avocado as a base for vegan dishes. We can eat avocado raw or by cooking. It depends on personal preference and the dish that we are preparing.
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