Creamy, buttery and green, avocados have become a superstar in kitchens around the world. National Avocado Day, on July 31, celebrates this versatile fruit, which stars in guacamole, salads, sandwiches, smoothies and the famous avocado toast. Avocados are rich in healthy fats and fiber, and they can be enjoyed sweet or savory.
History of National Avocado Day
Avocados are native to south-central Mexico, where people ate them thousands of years ago. The Aztecs called the fruit 'ahuacatl', which became 'aguacate' in Spanish and 'avocado' in English.
Avocados were introduced to the United States in the 1800s, with trees planted in Florida and California. In the 1920s, a mail carrier named Rudolph Hass planted a seedling in his backyard in La Habra Heights, California. The tree produced fruit with rich flavor and bumpy skin that turned dark when ripe. In 1935, Hass received a patent for the variety, one of the first patents granted for a tree.
Today, the Hass avocado is the most popular variety in the world. The original 'mother tree' lived until 2002. Mexico is the world's leading avocado producer, and California grows most U.S. avocados. Who created National Avocado Day is not documented.
Why National Avocado Day Matters
Avocados are a nutritious food, providing healthy fats, fiber and vitamins.
The story of Rudolph Hass shows how one person's backyard tree can change agriculture.
Avocados are also an important crop for farmers in Mexico and California, and their popularity has raised questions about water use and sustainability worth learning about.
Avocados are also a great example of how foods spread around the world. Once a regional fruit in Mexico, they are now grown in countries from Peru to Kenya to Israel and eaten worldwide. Their popularity has created jobs, but also challenges around water use and land, which makes them a useful topic for learning about global agriculture.
How to Celebrate National Avocado Day
- Make guacamole: mash avocados with lime, salt, onion and cilantro.
- Make avocado toast: add toppings like eggs or tomatoes.
- Blend a smoothie: add avocado for creaminess.
- Try a dessert: make chocolate avocado pudding.
- Grow a pit: sprout an avocado seed in water.
Celebrating at Work, School and Home
At work, a guacamole bar or avocado toast breakfast is a tasty treat. In classrooms, students can sprout avocado pits in water, learn about Mexican agriculture, or explore how fruits ripen. At home, families can make guacamole together, try avocado in new recipes, or grow an avocado plant from a pit. Store avocados with a banana to speed ripening.
Fun Facts About National Avocado Day
- The word 'avocado' comes from the Aztec 'ahuacatl'.
- Rudolph Hass patented the Hass avocado in 1935.
- Mexico is the world's leading avocado producer.
National Avocado Day FAQs
When is National Avocado Day?
National Avocado Day is July 31.
Where do avocados come from?
South-central Mexico.
Who was Rudolph Hass?
A mail carrier who grew the original Hass avocado tree.
How do I ripen avocados faster?
Store them in a paper bag with a banana or apple.