Do you remember the great taste and creamy texture of the Avocado? My mouth is watering to think about its taste. If you are trying to lose weight, Avocados are good for you. They help in improving your digestion and lead to weight loss. Impressive fruit, Isn’t it? In today’s article, we will discuss the health benefits of avocados and how important they are. Moreover, we will also discuss “How to ripen an Avocado?”.
More about the Mighty Fruit
The scientific name of Avocados is Persea Americana. It belongs to Lauraceae, a flora family. The Avocado trees are primarily located in the Southern and Central parts of Mexico. Alligator pear or Avocado pear are the other names of this creamy fruit. The fruit is in the shape of a berry or large pear consisting of one large seed inside it.
These plants used self-pollination methods to reproduce. To produce or multiply the number, Humans use grafting to help the plants propagate. Grafting is the artificial process of joining plant tissues.
Tropical and Mediterranean climates are favourable climates for the cultivation of Avocados. Thus, according to a survey, Mexico is the hub of Avocado cultivation recorded in 2019. Also, Mexico supplies almost 32% of the total avocados cultivation.
Avocados are healthy to eat fruit with buttery texture when ripen. They come in different varieties and look brown, black, green and purplish colour after ripening. They are generally spherical, egg or pear-shaped. Did you know that Avocados are immature when picked and ripens after harvesting? Interesting, right!
Let us discuss more its properties and Botanical phenomenon further:-
Avocado and its Botany
Let us first discuss the height and length of the leaves of this fantastic fruit, Persea Americana.
- The average height of the fruit is 20m or 66 feet. However, the length of the leaves is 5-10 inches or 12-25 cm.
- The axils of Avocado’s leaves may result in the cluster of the flowers with deciduous bracts at the axis.
- The Avocado’s flowers are mostly unnoticeable. They are 5-10 mm broad with a greenish-yellow texture.
- However, the texture and botany of the Avocado vary from place to place. Most populations prefer the large size avocado with thin exocarp and fresh flavour.
- Avocado contains a single berry that covers the seed. Also, it has a very small endocarp and is climacteric in nature.
- The average length of the Avocado is between 3-8 inches. It weighs between 100 and 1000g. Moreover, the size of its seed is around 5-6cm.
This was all about the structural study or Botany of the Avocado. So, before discussing “How to ripen an avocado”, We need first to clear our basics. Then, going further, we will get to know about the history and origins of the Avocado.
Persea Americana: History and its Origin
There is solid proof that thousands of years ago, a similar fruit species as Avocado was widespread among our ancestors of Tehuacan Valley(the second largest City in Puebla, Mexico). However, Avocados have three different versions which are currently known to human beings. The three different Avocado versions are the Guatemalan version, West Indian version and Mexican version.
There is evidence of Avocado cultivation related to around 5,000 B.C. in South and Central America. Also, during the Inca-Empire(the pre-Columbian era in South America), people used an Avocado shaped water jar in Chan Chan city (dating 900 A.D.).
This is all about the history and existence of the Avocado. We will now check the health benefits of the Avocado and how to ripen an avocado.
Avocado and its health benefits
Avocados are widely available in areas with warm climates. This is because a friendly environment is ideal for its growth and adds a creamy texture to this alligator fruit. Also, They help in reducing depression and risks to depression, aiding digestion and providing a shield against cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
One more interesting fact about Avocado is that it helps us to reduce the risk of heart attack and other heart problems. This is because Avocado contains Monounsaturated fatty Acids or MUFA that allows us to keep the cholesterol levels low in the human body. Thus, reducing the risks of heart problems.
A recent study has proved that including Avocados in your diet plan can help you stay away from heart problems, sugar, obesity, etc. Also, it can help you in weight loss, provides energy and helps you maintain healthy skin and hair.
Lets us check out some more health benefits of Avocado:-
Avocados are nutritious
Avocados are a worldwide popular fruit. They are the source of various vitamins and minerals. Below is the nutritional report of the USDA National Nutrient Database in one serving of 40 grams of Avocado:-
- Calorie:- 64
- Fat:- 6 grams
- Carbs:- 3.4 grams
- Sugar:- Less than 1 gm
- Fibre:- 3 grams
- Vitamin K,E,C,B-6
- Avocados also contain potassium, Pantothenic Acid, Folate, Magnesium, Niacin and Riboflavin and other minerals.
- Moreover, they are a great source of fatty acids like Beta-carotene, lutein and Omega 3 etc.
- Apart from providing healthy minerals and vitamins, Avocados are a great source of good fat. Eating one Avocado can help you stay full and satisfied for a long time.
- Moreover, Other benefits of eating good fat are that it helps boost your immune system and strengthen the bone structure.
Avocados promote heart health
Taking care of the heart is very important. Avocados contain beta-sitosterol, which is a powerful mineral. The consumption of Avocado regularly may help to balance the cholesterol levels. Also, if your cholesterol levels remain low, the chances of heart attacks are meagre. Thus, doctors advise heart patients or blood pressure patients to consume lots of avocados. They are nectar for heart patients.
Boon for Eyes
Avocados are a boon for human eyes. This is because they contain two phytochemicals, Zeaxanthin and Lutein. These chemicals are present inside the eyes and work as shields against harmful rays.
Moreover, Avocados contain certain fatty acids which aid in the digestion of a few antioxidants like beta-carotene. Beta-Carotene is a fat-soluble antioxidant found in plants. Consumption of avocados also strengthens the retina and eye muscle so that you can better. Avocados reduce the risk of Macular degeneration, which can affect the retina and make our vision clear.
Source of Calcium and Vitamin K
Avocados strengthen bone structure as well. In addition, eating half an avocado provides calcium and Vitamin K. Calcium and Vitamin K helps in the maintenance of healthy bones and provide strength. Thus, including avocados in your daily diet is essential.
Avocados act as a shield against Cancer
A recent study shows that Avocados contain Folate. These folates are an excellent source of energy. Also, Folate in avocados helps reduce the risks of all cancers( Stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, cervical cancer and colon cancer etc.) This is because Folate found in Avocados reduces DNA and RNA mutation in the human body during cell division. This mutation can result in the formation of cancer cells which is entirely avoided by Folates.
Avocados help in healthy pregnancy and delivery
Avocados are a great source of folates. Doctors advise mothers to eat avocados as they have folates. Folates may result in healthy pregnancy by reducing the miscarriage risks and other defects.
Folates help deliver a healthy child but also helps in lowering the risk of stress and depression, promoting digestion.
Also, Avocados are natural detoxifiers and help in the regulation of bowel movements.
They also help in reducing inflammation and aid in the proper functioning of the immune system.
Moreover, Avocados also help treat osteoporosis, food poisoning, hypertension, and other health problems.
How to ripen an Avocado?
One of the amazing things about avocados is that they can be added to any random dish. For example, you can toss them in salads and make them healthy. You can cook a nutritious and low-calorie soup using Avocado as an ingredient. It has a buttery texture to use as a side dip with garlic bread slices.
However, to make all the recipes mentioned above, your avocados should be ripening. But the dilemma is that you can not buy ripe avocados as they become stale very quickly. On the other hand, you can not purchase unripe avocados as well. If you do that, you might have to wait till it ripens. Also, there is no guarantee either if the wait is going to be fruitful. There is a possibility that your Avocado may turn into a rock. Therefore, it is necessary tprocess of ripening the Avocado.
Let us take a look at the home remedies to ripen the Avocado
- The first important point to remember is that patience is the key. It would be best to place the Avocado in a paper bag(a brown one should be preferred) and leave it outside for 24 hours under the sunlight.
- During these 24 hours, Avocado, along with banana and apple, release an ethylene gas that speeds up avocado ripening.
- Further, another more straightforward way to ripen Avocado is to leave it on your window side for 3-5 days and Voila! It is ready to make tasty guacamole!
- Last-minute party? Do not worry! The mighty fruit, Avocado, is here to serve you! You can make the sweet yet healthy avocado dish within a few minutes. All you need to do is to take an aluminium foil and wrap the Avocado in it. After that, place the Avocado in an oven for 10 minutes, and your tasty dish is ready. An important thing to note that microwaving avocados may ruin the texture and taste. So tread carefully!
- There are several other ways to ripen the Avocados at home, like cut them open and rub lemon juice on them for better flavour and taste. Also, Lime juice may help to prevent it from over-ripening.
Conclusion
In the end, I hope you read the full article and find the article “How to ripen an avocado?” interesting. Thank you and take care!
