All About Avacado’s | Health Benefits | Diff Varieties Available in India

Avocado (also known as butter fruit) farming has got its momentum nowadays in India due to the high price and the sub-tropical climate of the country. From an avocado tree, a farmer gets around 300-600 fruits every year. Another important factor is that the plant does not require constant care like many other trees or plants. In a season, a farmer gets up to 200 rupees for a kilogram of the fruit.

Till the first half of the 20^th century, the avocado was unknown to the Indian Sub-continent. It was first introduced to the country from Sri Lanka. The fruit is originally from Mexico and Central America and slowly migrated to other countries. It is called butter fruit for its creamy and rich texture.

Health benefits of Avocado

It is said that avocado is the most nutritious among the fruits with plenty of proteins and fat but low in carbohydrates. The fruit has calcium, iron, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorous, sodium and sulfur minerals. It also has vitamins such as vitamin A (carotene), ascorbic acid, thiamine, and riboflavin.

Avocados are rich in fiber.
They help fight against cancer.
It is good for the heart and vision.
Recommended for pregnant women.
It does lower the cholesterol level and results in weight loss.
The fruit is considered to be a detoxification fruit.
It helps to prevent osteoporosis.

Uses of Avocado Fruit

The fruit is mainly used as raw fruit. It can be seen in sandwiches, salads, milk shakes or as toppings. It is also used in juices, shakes, fresh ice creams, and milk. Oil taken from avocado has its own fan circle. The pulp can be preserved in freezers for a long time.

Face Masks: Mashed avocado mixed with honey or yogurt can be used as a nourishing face mask.
Hair Masks: Avocado mashed with olive oil or coconut oil can serve as a moisturizing hair mask.
Moisturizer: Avocado oil is used in some skincare products for its moisturizing properties.

Avacado Varieties (Available in India)

HASS AVACADO
PINKERTON AVACADO
REED AVACADO
RUSSELL AVACADO
WEST INDIAN AVACADO
MEXICAN AVACADO
GUATEMALAN AVACADO
MALUMA AVACADO
LULA AVACADO
ZUTANO AVOCADO
FUERTE AVOCADO
GWEN AVOCADO
ETTINGER AVOCADO

These are the common varieties that have been found in the country. In them, the Mexican type is the smallest one, it is approximately weighs up to 250gm to 350gm. It takes 6-8 months to ripen after flowering the fruit. The Guatemalan type is larger than the Mexican. It grows up to 600gm and ripens after 9-12 months after flowering. The West Indian type is medium-sized and it takes 9 months to ripen after flowering.

Now, there are other hybrid varieties in the country such as Bacon, Pollock, Waldin, Nabal, Linda booth 7 and 8.

Avocado Fruit Nutrition

Avocado is like a nutritional powerhouse with loads of vitamins and minerals. It's rich in potassium, even more than bananas, which is great for nerves, blood pressure, and heart health. Avocado has various vitamins and minerals like B9, K, E, C, and more. A serving of avocado is low in calories but high in healthy fats and fiber, making it an excellent choice for those watching carbs. It's also low in cholesterol, saturated fat, and sodium, making it perfect for health-conscious folks.

Avocado fruit is used as

Avocados are commonly enjoyed in the form of milkshakes or the scooped avocado can be eaten as raw or use it to create tasty salads, soups, dips, or pair it with toast.

How to cut Avocado?

Use a knife to slice around its center. Then, take a spoon and carefully scoop around the edges to pull out the fruit. Make sure not to discard the part between the outer skin and pulp, as it contains valuable phytonutrients.

AVOCADO CARE

Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch of soil to dry between waterings.
Light: Place in bright, indirect sunlight, rotating occasionally for even exposure.
Temperature: Maintain temperatures between 60°F to 85°F (15°C to 29°C); avoid drafts and cold temperatures.
Humidity: Increase humidity by misting leaves or using a humidity tray.

Fertilization: Feed with balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during spring and summer.
Pruning: Trim to promote bushier growth and remove dead or damaged leaves.
Repotting: Repot into a slightly larger container with well-draining soil every year or as needed.
Support: Provide stakes or a small trellis to support growth and prevent bending.

Is Avocado saplings grafted?

Yes, we sell grafted Avocado saplings which can produce fruits in just 3 Years. The saplings that you will receive upon order will be 6 months of age (post grafting) and height of 3ft (apprx). Notably, both the rootstock and scion originate from the same variety, endowing these saplings with robustness and inherent disease resistance.

Suitable for terrace / container farming ?

Avocado grafted sapling is ideally suited for terrace farming, offering the convenience of cultivation in sizable containers such as large pots or 100-litre drums. If your preference is for potted growth, it is essential to ensure meticulous attention to watering and periodic fertilization required to optimize their development.