The avocado originated in southern Mexico but was cultivated from the Rio Grande to central Peru before the arrival of Europeans. The Mexican name for avocado is 'aguacate'. Avocados are distinctly pear shaped with a slightly pebbled, glossy, green, skin. They have soft light green flesh and a huge seed.

Although the avocado has been known by the natives of tropical America, it was only described for the first time after the first Europeans set foot on the mainland in 1499. The first published record that describes the avocado appeared in the first book, the Suma de Geografia, which was published after the discovery of the New World. This book was published during 1519 in Seville, Spain and was written by Martin Fernandez de Enciso.

Some sources in the literature suggests that Hernando Cortez, the first European to set foot in Mexico City and a Spanish soldier of fortune, was the first man to discover the avocado for the New World. This event took place during the year 1519, in fact the same year as the publication of Martin Fernandez de Enciso’s work in Spain. It can thus be deducted that de Enciso’s contact and experience with the avocado actually occurred before that of Cortez, as he still had to travel back to Spain to document his findings.

The first avocados in Australia were grown from seeds bought in from the West Indians at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1928, the fist trees were planted in the Sunraysia district, now a major avocado growing area. Australia has now become a leading producer of the fine avocado family in Queensland growing the largest quantities, and N.S.W and Victoria both producing significant amounts.

Where and how is it grown?

These days the avocado is grown all over the globe. Avocados are grown on evergreen trees. Evergreen means they do not shed their leaves in Autumn. The trees they grow on need to be in an area that has excellent drainage, porous soil and is sheltered from strong winds. Avocados prefer a climate that is tropical.

Nutritional value?

Avocados do not contain saturated fats, unlike some fruits but avocado fat is good fat the kind of fat that keeps you healthy. It is a good source of vitamins that prolongs the health of red blood cells and helps prevent oxygen damage to the body cells. It includes dietary fibres and a rich source of antioxidants.