The wonders of Colombian avocados

Colombia is home to a remarkable diversity of avocados, offering a wide range of flavors, textures, and appearances, like the size. Fun fact: you can find avocados of the size of your head! From the popular Hass avocado to lesser-known local varieties like Criollo, Papelillo, Lorena, Santana, Choquette, Booth 8, Semil 40, Edranol, and Trinidad. The country boasts an abundance of avocado cultivars that thrive in its varied climates and landscapes.

The rich cultural and agricultural heritage of Colombia has contributed to a vibrant avocado scene, making it a haven for avocado enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike. Whether you're strolling through the bustling markets of Bogotá or exploring the lush avocado orchards in the countryside, you'll encounter an impressive array of avocados that reflect the country's agricultural richness and biodiversity.

Avocado is a delicious and nutritious fruit that is popular all over the world. However, it's important to be responsible with the consumption of avocados, as their production requires a lot of water. In this article, we'll explore some tips on how to consume avocados responsibly, while also making the most of their many uses.

First, it's important to make sure that you're not wasting any part of the avocado. The flesh is the most commonly consumed part, but the skin and pit can also be used in various ways. Here are some more examples of how to use all parts:

1. Avocado skin: Instead of throwing away the skin, you can use it to make a natural dye for fabrics. Boil the skin in water for about an hour, then strain the liquid and use it to dye fabrics. You can also use the skin to make a tea that is said to have many health benefits.

2. Avocado pit: The pit can be used to grow your avocado tree. Simply clean the pit, stick some toothpicks into it, and place it in a jar of water so that the bottom is submerged. Change the water every few days and wait for the roots to grow. Once the roots are about an inch long, you can plant the pit in soil and watch it grow into a tree.

The pit can also be a natural insecticide for your plants. They contain a high amount of tannins a natural substance that serves as protection against the attack of pathogens, such as fungi, bacteria, and viruses. These components are toxic, bitter, and unpleasant tasting to many insects, animals, and even humans. If it is applied to the vegetation of the home, it will be able to repel pests. Here is the step-by-step:

Ingredients to make 5 liters of insecticide: A container with a capacity of one liter. A dried avocado seed. A liter of water. A grater.

Procedure: Step 1: Boil the liter of water to purify the liquid and infuse the substances from the seed.

Step 2: grate the avocado pit. Avoid using food processors or electric graters, since due to the centrifugal force, many components of these will be wasted; Place the zest in the container.

Step 3: Once the water is boiling, turn it off and pour it into the container that has the boiled water. You should let it sit overnight.

Step 4: After this time, strain the extract to remove impurities and dilute the infusion in 5 liters of water. Let it sit for a day before using it.

Note: apply the preparation on the back of the leaves; It is advisable to do it in the late afternoon to avoid the hot weather of the day. If the pest is very extensive, we advise you to use the avocado seed insecticide once a week until it has been eliminated. For storage, it is preferable to store it in the refrigerator or consume it all the same day it has been ready.

3. Avocado oil: Avocado oil is a healthy and flavorful alternative to other cooking oils. It has a high smoke point, which makes it great for high-heat cooking methods like frying and roasting. You can also use it as a salad dressing or drizzle it over grilled vegetables for added flavor.

4. Avocado leaves: Avocado leaves can be used to make tea or added to stews and soups for flavor. They have a slightly anise-like flavor and are commonly used in Mexican cuisine.

Another way to be responsible with the consumption of avocados is to buy them from local sources whenever possible. This helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with transportation and also supports local farmers. Additionally, look for avocados that are grown using sustainable farming practices, such as those that use less water or avoid harmful pesticides.

In conclusion, consuming avocados responsibly is important for both the environment and the economy. By making use of all parts of the fruit, buying from local and sustainable sources, and exploring different ways to enjoy avocados, we can all do our part to reduce waste and support responsible farming practices.

Written by: Sara María Fernández Padilla