Avocado – The superfood that is trending

Avocados are rich in vitamins (A, C, E, K) and they are an excellent source of minerals and monounsaturated fats – good fats.

Everything from the avocado plant is used. Its leaves and pits are used in infusions and to treat diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

Did you know that avocado is considered a superfood? To understand why it received this label and why it’s at the top of the trendy foods list, I travelled to the Namaacha district. And, on one of the hills of this land, blessed by fertility and mild temperatures, I found an 8-hectare machamba (farm), full of avocado trees.

When exploring the plantation, guided by the steps of the farmer Paula dos Santos, I discover that it was created in colonial times and has been under her care since 2000, when she left the city for the countryside. The size of the avocado trees draws attention. After all, some are over 30 metres long. I ask about the production methods and Paula says that all the avocado produced on the farm is 100% organic. “The only time when a modification occurs is during the preparation of the seedlings, when they are grafted to speed up the start of production.”

Because we are in the harvest period, which takes place between April and July, the trees are still loaded. The avocado has the characteristic of not ripening on the tree, so it is picked green and ripens in a few days.

The reason this fruit is so appreciated and given the superfood label, according to Paula, is its high nutritional value. It is rich in vitamins (A, C, E, K) and it is an excellent source of minerals and monounsaturated fats – good fats. And, due to its high fat content, an oil with medicinal properties is extracted, widely used in the food and cosmetics industry. The fact is that everything from the avocado plant is used. Its leaves and pits are used in infusions and to treat diseases such as hypertension and diabetes.

If you are thinking of including avocado or its oil in your daily diet, know that it brings several benefits to your health, such as controlling cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Avocados are consumed sweet, salty or simply raw. Salted is a great ingredient for toast, sushi and salads; sweet turns it into ice cream, mousses or fruit smoothies.

Issue 74 Jul/Aug | Download.