National Avocado Day is a holiday that falls on July 31st and aims to introduce everyone to this iconic fruit. Although many people consider avocados as only the main ingredient in guacamole, this fruit can be used in a wide variety of dishes. And because it’s packed with Omega-3 fatty acids, is a good source of fiber, and contains a variety of trace minerals needed by the human body, it’s also considered by many to be a superfood.

The History of National Avocado Day

This holiday was created by Model Meals—a meal delivery service established in 2015—sometime between 2015 and 2020. Since the company works with organic growers and focuses on sustainable agriculture, they wanted to highlight food that’s not only sustainable but also extremely healthy. Since they were based in California, the decision to focus on the avocado was a no-brainer.

A Short History of the Avocado

The avocado is a fruit that has been enjoyed in Central and South America for over 10,000 years. It was even enjoyed by the Aztecs. It would later be introduced to the Caribbean during the 17th century, where it became known as an alligator pear. In 1833, horticulturist Henry Perrine planted the first avocado plant in Florida, and from there, this fruit migrated outwards. During the 1850s, people took it east and planted it throughout the Asian tropical regions, and others took it west across the United States. By the 1880s, the first plants were being planted in California, and by the turn of the 20th century, avocado orchards became prevalent and began to establish their importance as a significant cash crop.

Although the local populations of California, Florida, and Hawaii loved the avocado, most people in the U.S. weren’t familiar with it. This began to change during the 1950s as the fruit started being used in salads. The popularity of the fruit also began to rise thanks to an increase in Mexican restaurant chains serving guacamole. Its popularity has continued to rise, with some of the most significant growth happening between 2000 and 2015. This time period is when avocado sales tripled.

Facts About Avocados

Below are some fun facts about avocados. Enjoy!

• The avocado isn’t a vegetable; it’s a fruit.
• Avocados are a higher source of protein than bananas.
• Avocados may lower cholesterol in some people.
• Avocado peels are toxic to cats and dogs, so throw them away or compost them.

How to Observe National Avocado Day

National Avocado Day is a holiday that anyone can observe. Those wishing to observe this day can do so by incorporating avocados into their diet for the day. They can do that by making their own guacamole, by cutting up some avocado and placing it into a salad, or by making avocado fries. It’s also a good day to obtain an avocado pit and grow your own avocado houseplant. People choosing to celebrate this holiday can also use the hashtag #NationalAvocadoDay on all of their social media posts to let everyone know they’re celebrating the day.