Avocados on the Tree
Avocado trees have been cultivated in the Mexico since before the Europeans hit our shores. The earliest record of domestically planted avocados in the United States was in Florida in 1833. Today California, Florida, Hawaii and Texas are the only states that grown avocados commercially. But Mexico holds the title as the largest avocado producer in the world with over 300,000 acres of trees under cultivation.
The History
The avocado is a cultigen, a species whose domestication---as researchers call it---is so old that no one knows for sure where it came from. They do have a pretty good idea that it hails from south central Mexico. The first written reference to the avocado was by Martin Fernandez De Encisco who wrote in 1519 ". . . that which it contains is like butter and is of marvelous flavor, so good and pleasing to the palate that it is a marvelous thing." It was later, somewhere between 1532 and 1550, that another European used the Inca name "aguacate" which finally became the most common Spanish name.
The Trees
There are three predominate horticultural versions of the avocado tree which is actually an evergreen as well. The Mexican version is the most popular. You are most likely to find avocado trees in South Florida (Dade and Collier counties), Texas, Hawaii and California due to their sub-tropical environment. Avocado trees can grow from 20 to 40 feet in height and must be planted roughly 20 feet apart if cultivated. For household settings, it is recommended that they be planted at least 8 feet from the side of your home due to their aggressive root system.
Soil and Climate
The avocado tree likes soil with good drainage. They do not like standing water, regular flooding or slow draining. In contrast to that, avocado trees require a lot of water. Ideally an avocado tree should receive one inch of water per week from mother nature or an irrigation system. A soil pH above 6.2 is recommended to minimize the possibility of root rot.
Cultivars
The search for the perfect avocado has lead to the development of over 60 popular cultivars of avocado trees that either are or have been cultivated to grow in the United States. The consumer has made the Hass the avocado of choice in the U.S. The Hass avocado is known for its creamy texture and tasteful flavor and to eliminate all guessing, the Hass skin turns a purplish black when its is ripe. Seven cultivars are still grown in California but the Hass represents 90 percent of the California avocados grown..
Health Issues
The avocado has overcome a bad rap health-wise. Now that we have more information on fatty acids---both good and bad---the avocado has come into favor as a healthy heart food. Michael Goran, Ph.D., professor of preventive medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, suggests that chicken and tuna salads would be much healthier if you simply drop the mayonnaise and add avocado. He points out that avocados are higher in the good kinds of monounsaturated fatty acids with the added benefit that they are also low in saturated fat.
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