An Advocate For Avocados

Avocados were allegedly discovered in Mexico as early as 231 B.C. They were referred to by the Aztecs as Nahuati atuacati, which means testicle. Named for its shape, the atuacati (avocado) was also considered to be a sexual stimulant.

The Spanish conquistadors thought the nahuati was just as tasteless in the gustatory sense as in its nomenclature and the mild-flavored, green fruit – yes, fruit, not vegetable – didn’t become widely popular until the mid 1950s As of ten years ago, at least 40% of American households included avocados in their diets.

Here are a couple of reasons why. (No, it’s not what the Aztecs thought.). You’ve heard that avocados have a high fat content. It’s true, but it is monounsaturated fat, the kind that helps reduce cholesterol levels. The fruit is also high in vitamins E and C, both potent anti-oxidants, and also in a couple of types of vitamin B that aid metabolism. More important, they taste great and have a truly unique texture. And they need no cooking.

Read the entire article in the  February 2004 issue