Avocados

Also known as alligator pear or butter fruit, the avocado is botanically a large berry containing a single large seed known as a "pit" or a "stone". It is commercially valuable and is cultivated in tropical and Mediterranean climates throughout the world. The avocado has a green-skinned, fleshy body that may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical. It is actually the only fruit that provides a substantial amount of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and is a naturally nutrient-dense food that contains nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. The potential health benefits of this fruit include improving digestion, decreasing risk of depression, and protection against cancer. Besides, the avocado is not by any means sweet, yet it is distinctly and subtly flavored, with smooth texture. It is used in both savory and sweet dishes, not to mention that it is popular in vegetarian cuisine as a substitute for meats in sandwiches and salads because of its high fat content. The number of avocado varieties cultivated is around 400, some of them with the size of a plum, while others weigh up to 2 kg. However, the varieties for export have usually a weight that oscillates between 150 and 400 g.