Avocado - The Super Fruit

The Avocado is a super fruit amongst the best for its high nutritional values.

This humble fruit can even beat out the apple for keeping the doctor away as a mid-sized Avocado is packed with approximately 300 nutrient packed calories and each contains vitamins K, D, C, E and B, as well a vast array of both primary and trace minerals.

A single tree can produce up to 600 Avocado's each year so an Avocado a day would be easily achievable.

The average Avocado also contains 81 micrograms of lutein, which helps with eye health and because of its mono and polyunsaturated fats. The Avocado is a healthy substitute for foods rich in saturated fats.

Being the fruit which holds the highest protein content than any other fruit the Avocado can be extremely beneficial to anyone at any age. The Avocado is also endorsed by the Heart Foundation as a healthy food option.

The Avocado originates from central and south America and is also known as the Alligator Pear for its Alligator skin texture and pear shape.

The founding "Father" of the New Zealand Avocado industry was Len Grey of Gisborne. In 1926 his orchard received some Avocado seeds from the New Zealand Department of Agriculture and by 1935 they were producing fruit.

The industry now sees the Avocado being sold domestically and exported all over the world.

In 2010 the Avocado was New Zealand's third-largest fresh fruit export, with sales worth $67m.

The prime New Zealand Avocado regions is in the Bay of Plenty region such as Te Puke for its protection from wind and frosts. The New Zealand Avocado contains the highest levels of beta-sitosterol, which aids in lowering cholesterol absorption.

The two main varieties of Avocado New Zealand consumers can see in supermarkets are the Hass Avocado and Reed Avocado.

The Hass Avocado is the main variety found in New Zealand. This medium sized Avocado has a thick pebbly green skin which darkens while ripening. This type of Avocado has its own built in indicator for prime time eating and it's season extends from mid November to March.

This Avocado also accounts for around 80 per cent of New Zealand's Avocado production.

The Reed Avocado is a rounder Avocado with thick pebbly green skin. Unlike the Hass this Avocado has skin that does not darken as it ripens. This Avocados season begins in late February and carries through to April.

The Avocado tree is extremely versatile as to soil flexibility being able to grow in soil types such as red clay, sand, volcanic loam, lateritic soils and limestone. This means it is suitable for New Zealand soils.

This fruit is unique when it comes to harvest times as they will not ripen while they are still attached to the tree. The largest Avocado should be picked first to ensure that once picked the Avocado ripens perfectly which is usually between one to two weeks at room temperature.

As the nine to 12 month mark comes the Avocado is then picked and begins to ripen.

Avocado oil has an extra effect in that it has the highest smoke point than other oils which makes it oil stable during high temperature cooking. Studies have shown the Avocado oil's vitamins A, B, G and E can increase the level of soluble collagen in the skin making the Avocado a beauty secret.

This fruit can be used in numerous dishes such as traditional Avocado spread on tortillas with seasoning and Guacamole to modern day sandwich spread, mixed in a seafood salad and even for the more daring Avocado ice cream, or milk shakes.

Todd and his team consistently deliver to both growers and sellers of the freshest fruit in New Zealand. http://www.poletopole.co.nz/

Source:http://ezinearticles.com