The avocado is a green fruit that is highly appreciated by most for its particular flavor and its soft and delicate pulp. It is integrated into several recipes either as a starter or dessert and in various salty or sweet sauces. Its appearance can vary, going from green and tender meat to black and rough. It is high in calories but contains good fats.
Benefits of Avocado
The avocado is an exotic fruit native to Central and South America. It contains potassium, magnesium, vitamin B5, B6, C, K, E, as well as fiber and good fats.
- It is rich in antioxidants and helps fight free radicals, which can be an important factor in the appearance of cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer.
- It is rich in fiber. These help prevent colon cancer and increase satiety.
- It is rich in unsaturated fats which are good fats for cardiovascular health.
- It is rich in vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid, which contributes to the optimal use of energy from other foods.
- It is rich in vitamin K, necessary for the production of proteins essential for blood clotting.
- It is a source of copper, necessary for the constitution of hemoglobin and collagen.
- Contains vitamin B6, essential for the production of red blood cells.
- It contains phosphorus, which plays an important role in maintaining healthy bones.
- It is rich in zinc, necessary for wound healing, fetal development and the production of genetic material.
In recent years, the price of avocado has registered a marked increase. You can save more by growing your own avocado tree at home, which is also fresh and organic. It is not necessary to have a large space; The avocado tree is a small tree that is easy to grow.
How to grow an avocado tree
- 1 avocado pit
- 4 chopsticks
- 1 pot
Indications
- Soak the core in hot water between 35 and 40° for half an hour.
- Carefully clean the avocado pit, insert 4 toothpicks at the same distance from each other. Then put it in a glass full of water; The chopsticks should keep the core half submerged so that the domed part is exposed. Change the water in the glass when it is cloudy.
- Place it out of the sun but in a warm place until the stem grows and the roots become visible. This growth can take 2 to 6 weeks. Wait for more leaves to sprout and roots to reach 1 to 2 centimeters before planting the hole.
How to plant grain?
In a large pot, filled with nutrient-rich soil, place your seed in it, making a small hole making sure the end of the seed is exposed to the outside.
How to take care of it?
Once you’ve planted your avocado tree, move it to a sunny spot in your home. Water the tree generously and regularly, making sure the soil remains moist but not saturated. If you notice that the leaves become dry and dark, it is not hydrated enough. Then place your pot in the sink and let the water run into the sink to ensure drainage through the pot hole.
On the contrary, if the leaves turn yellow and fall off, it means that the tree is overwatered. In this case, it is necessary to stop moisturizing it for a few days and reduce the amount of water in the future.
You have to be patient before the tree bears fruit. In the meantime, have fun and know that gardening is the best therapy for anxiety and stress.
Tips for storing avocado:
- If you buy green, underripe avocados, you can ripen them at a good temperature by placing them in a brown paper bag. By adding an apple to the bag, you can speed up the process, as the apple will diffuse the ethylene, allowing the fruit to ripen quickly.
- It is possible to freeze the avocado by mashing it and adding a teaspoon of lemon juice.
- To avoid discoloration of the avocado, prepare it only when you are ready to serve it or put it in the refrigerator, covering it with plastic wrap.
Warnings
- Avocado contains a large amount of vitamin K, which is necessary for blood clotting. Therefore, people who are on anticoagulant treatment should limit their consumption.
- Some people who are allergic to latex may also be allergic to avocado, as it contains the same compound, namely hevein, which is believed to be responsible for this allergy.