Avocado, My Beloved!

Thank you for being the buttery, versatile gem that you are. I cherish you in every form – ripe, creamy, and raw. You’ve found your way into my heart in countless dishes, and the love affair is real!

From complimenting my dal and rice to adding a touch of delight to roti and curry, from being the star of a fresh salad to elevating soups, desserts, and smoothies, and, of course, your role as the ever-iconic guacamole – you’ve truly conquered every culinary landscape.

Did you know that Avocado is called Butter Fruit in India? It is generally made into a shake using milk and sugar! The same recipe is used in Filipino cuisine called Zamboanga, it is used extensively in Japanese cuisine, in makis like California Sushi, in Brazilian cuisine, and more. We enjoyed most amount and varieties of avocados while living in Florida. Florida is home to several avocado varieties, and it is one of the few states in the United States where avocados are grown. Haas, Lula, Choquette, Brogdon, Monroe, Booth, Winter Mexican Avocado are some of the varieties grown in the state of Florida. Fuerte, Pusa, Nabal, Polyembryonic and many other local varieties are grown in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. Though not everyone likes avocado the first time, but I’ve witnessed people falling in love with it over time. One of my father’s favorites was to have it on a toast of bread in the form of guacamole. One of our family and friend’s all-time favourite is to have it in a sandwich topping grilled portobello mushrooms. Here at VL Cafe, we serve it whenever we can, but reliable sourcing of portobello mushrooms has been tricky.

But did you know that avocados come in a rich tapestry of varieties? They span various sizes, shapes, colors, creaminess levels, and, of course, distinct tastes. The most familiar variety is the Haas avocado, prized for its transportability. But there are avocados ranging from the size of a lime to as large as a big coconut, almost like the one you see in movies. There are even avocados that bear a striking resemblance to a bottle gourd. The color of the skin when ripe can range from light green to dark green, black, and sometimes even a vibrant crimson red.

Healthwise, avocados are remarkable. They’re rich in good fats that are not only delectable but also beneficial for our well-being. These creamy delights are packed with protein, dietary fibre, and an array of essential vitamins and minerals. Avocados contribute to heart health, aid in weight management, promote eye health, and support digestion. They’re a treasure trove of antioxidants and can even enhance the absorption of other nutrients from the foods we eat.

The avocados we use at Vibrant Living often come from the Vishakapatnam area, though we’re also fortunate to have fantastic avocados grown locally right here in Hyderabad. A dear friend, Leena, used to send us boxes full of these beauties from Coorg in the past, and those were equally marvelous! So, the next time you see avocados in the market, don’t just assume they’re all imported. We take pride in sourcing these gems whenever they’re in season, ensuring that you can enjoy the finest, freshest avocados in our dishes. Oh, don’t forget to try our all-raw food meal where we stuff avocado halves with nut pate and serve with a great big salad! Also, don’t forget to try our guacamole served with jowar sesame crackers or Ragi sumac crackers. And, of course, do try and make guacamole at home, video attached.

Avocado, you are truly a gift from nature, and we are grateful for the joy you bring to our tables. Here’s to the creamy, dreamy, and oh-so-healthy Avocado.

Finally, please let me know how you enjoy your avocado. I am assuming you do like them since you read the whole blog:)

Cheers! See you soon.