Since ancient times, the most misunderstood fruit would have to be the avocado. Hence, Vox is here to dispel 3 great myths of the avocado.
Firstly and the simplest, the avocado is not a vegetable, as normally assumed by due to its colour and resemblance to other vegetables. Instead, it’s a fruit, a delicious one too. It is one of the ‘borderline’ veggie-fruit like carrots and tomato that people always wonder whether they are vegetables or fruits. Avacado is part of the berry family, a long distance cousin of blackberries and raspberries!
Next, due to their misleading image, avocados were once seen as having sexual powers and were not purchased nor consumed by any person protecting his/her virtuous image. It was also often seen as the fertility fruit due to its shape that resembles a testicle. In the past, couples used to see avocados as the Tongkat Ali for their nightlife. It was to the extent that growers had to sponsor public relations campaigns to dispel this infamous reputation of avocados before the public accepted the fruit!
Finally, the most misunderstood myth that should be dispelled and would soon earn much more fans – the myth that avocado is an incredibly unhealthy fruit. Well, it is partly true, but despite it being high in fat content and calories, the nutritional benefits of avocados definitely outweigh the calories and fat. It is the very monosaturated fats in avocados that have been found to improve fat levels in the body and help control diabetes. They are also good for lowering cholesterol. Avocados are also a huge source of fiber, containing 10 grams in only one avocado. Fiber is known to help prevent high blood pressure, heart disease, and certain types of cancer, particularly colon cancer.
Furthermore, avocados are the perfect food for pregnant women. The folate in one avocado per day provides almost 30% of the recommended daily dosage and helps prevent life threatening birth defects of the spine and brain.
Not convinced yet? Look for Florida grown avocados. They contain about 2/3 the calories and half the fat of California grown avocados. Also, stick with those harvested between November and March; they contain 1/3 the fat of those picked earlier in the season. In this way, you enjoy the delicious taste of avocados and the richness of their nutrition simultaneously. Treat yourself with a nice, cool avocado dessert (recipe given below) after a long day and absorb the richness into your body right now!
Avocado Gula Melaka Shake
1 ripe avocado – peeled and pitted
1 cups ice (10-12 ice cubes)
½ cup Gula Melaka syrup
½ to 1 cup cold low-fat milk
Scoop the avocado flesh into a blender.
Add the ice cubes, Gula Melaka syrup and ½ cup of milk.
Blend until completely smooth.
Taste and add additional milk for thinner consistency if desired.
Pour into 2 glasses and enjoy!
