Discover the magical versatility in the kitchen

Avocado is very popular in kitchens across the globe. In Vietnam, as in Brazil and Taiwan, avocados are frequently used for milk-shakes. In the Philippines, Jamaica and Indonesia, a dessert drink is made with sugar, milk, and pureed avocado. And although avocado is a fruit, it is considered a vegetable like tomatoes and cucumbers in the biggest avocado consumption countries. Avocados are used as the base for the Mexican dip known as guacamole, as well as a filling for several kinds of sushi and numerous types of salads. Avocado is popular in chicken dishes and as a spread on toast, served with salt and pepper. In Central America, avocados are served mixed with white rice.


Discover how to select and ripen avocado

An avocado is an avocado is an avocado...?
Avocados come in many shapes, sizes and colors. When selecting an avocado the skin is not telling the whole story. Although avocados with dark blemishes should be avoided, a delicious avocado could very well be hidden under a rough skin.
The ripeness of an avocado is difficult to judge from its external features. Whereas some avocados may turn dark green or dark purple as they ripen, other avocados retain their lighter green skin even when they are fully ripe. A ripe avocado will yield to a gentle pressure when held in the palm of the hand and lightly squeezed. When the fruit remains hard to the touch, it is not yet ripe and will not taste good. When the skin yields to a light pressure, the avocado is ripe. When upon a little pressure the flesh feels quite soft, the avocado may be too ripe and no longer good. In this case, taste the avocado first before using it.
Avocado fruit does not ripen on the tree, but is picked in a hard, "green" state and after harvesting will ripen in a few days. Avocados ripen faster when stored with other fruit, such as bananas, because of the influence of ethylene gas. To speed up the ripening process, you can put an avocado and banana together in a polythene bag and regularly monitor the ripening process. Once ripened, an uncut avocado can be stored in the fridge for about two or three more days.