Creamy, delicious and incredibly versatile, avocados have earned a permanent spot on grocery lists across the country. Whether they’re mashed into guacamole, layered onto burgers, blended into smoothies or sliced over salads, this beloved fruit has a way of making just about every meal a little better. Better yet, avocados don’t just taste great — they’re packed with nutrients, too.
There’s a lot more to avocados than many people realize, though. From where they’re grown to how to tell when they’re perfectly ripe, a little know-how can help you get the most from every purchase. Food Town’s produce pros are here to educate and inspire with everything you need to know about buying, storing and enjoying avocados. Let’s dig in!
Believe it or not, the avocado isn’t a vegetable at all — it’s an avocado fruit. In fact, botanically speaking, it’s considered a berry because it has a fleshy pulp surrounding a single large seed.
Avocados originated in Central America and Mexico, where they’ve been enjoyed for thousands of years. Today, they’re grown in many warm climates around the world, with Mexico supplying much of the avocados enjoyed in the United States. California is another major producer, while Texas also grows avocados on a smaller scale, primarily in the Rio Grande Valley.
The variety you’re most likely to find at Food Town is the Hass avocado, known for its pebbly dark skin, creamy texture and rich flavor. While the avocado fruit is available year-round, it’s especially popular during the spring and summer months, when they’re a natural addition to everything from backyard cookouts to fresh salads and tacos.
They’re so beloved, in fact, that they even have their own holiday! National Avocado Day is celebrated each year on July 31, giving avocado lovers one more excuse to enjoy this fan favorite.
You’ve probably heard people refer to avocados as a source of “healthy fats.” But what exactly does that mean? The avocado benefits begin with monounsaturated fats, the type of fat often associated with supporting heart health when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. These fats also help create that rich, creamy texture that makes avocados so satisfying.
Avocados also offer a variety of other nutritional perks, including:
Because they’re both filling and versatile, avocados are an easy way to add nutrition to meals without sacrificing flavor. Whether they’re blended into a smoothie, spread onto toast or diced over tacos, the avocado benefits make every bite a little more satisfying — and better for you.
Choosing a ripe avocado can feel like a bit of an art form, but a few simple tricks make it much easier. If you’re planning to enjoy your avocado the same day, look for one that yields slightly to gentle pressure without feeling mushy. If it’s firm, it’ll likely need another few days to ripen at home.
Another helpful trick? Check beneath the small stem cap. If it comes off easily and reveals green underneath, you’ve likely found a ripe avocado. Brown beneath the stem may indicate it’s overripe.
Once you get your avocados home, you can control the ripening process, too:
One of the best things about avocado recipes is their incredible versatility. Avocados fit just as comfortably into breakfast as they do lunch, dinner or snack time, making them one of the hardest-working ingredients in the kitchen.
Need a little inspo? Here are a few favorites from Food Town’s Recipes page.
Too hungry to click away? We get it, neighbor! Scroll to the bottom of this page a guacamole recipe that’s ready to make right now! And if you’re not sure how to get started, the image here from our friends at Avocados from Mexico offers tips to make avocado prep simple.
No matter how you’re enjoying them, avocados are one of the easiest ways to add fresh flavor and wholesome nutrition to your table. Your neighborhood Food Town is proud to offer fresh produce delivered daily, helping you find quality avocados and everything else you need to create delicious meals your family will love. Stop by soon, pick up a few perfectly ripe avocados and get inspired to try something new. We can’t wait to see you!
Basic Guacamole
Ingredients:
1 Ripe Avocado
1 Handful of Chopped Onion
1 Handful of Chopped Cilantro
1 Chopped Garlic Clove
1 Chopped Jalapeño
1 Handful of Chopped Tomato
1 Lime
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Instructions:
Normal Operating Hours:
Monday – Sunday | 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Creamy, delicious and incredibly versatile, avocados have earned a permanent spot on grocery lists across the country. Whether they’re mashed into guacamole, layered onto burgers, blended into smoothies or sliced over salads, this beloved fruit has a way of making just about every meal a little better. Better yet, avocados don’t just taste great — they’re packed with nutrients, too.
There’s a lot more to avocados than many people realize, though. From where they’re grown to how to tell when they’re perfectly ripe, a little know-how can help you get the most from every purchase. Food Town’s produce pros are here to educate and inspire with everything you need to know about buying, storing and enjoying avocados. Let’s dig in!
Believe it or not, the avocado isn’t a vegetable at all — it’s an avocado fruit. In fact, botanically speaking, it’s considered a berry because it has a fleshy pulp surrounding a single large seed.
Avocados originated in Central America and Mexico, where they’ve been enjoyed for thousands of years. Today, they’re grown in many warm climates around the world, with Mexico supplying much of the avocados enjoyed in the United States. California is another major producer, while Texas also grows avocados on a smaller scale, primarily in the Rio Grande Valley.
The variety you’re most likely to find at Food Town is the Hass avocado, known for its pebbly dark skin, creamy texture and rich flavor. While the avocado fruit is available year-round, it’s especially popular during the spring and summer months, when they’re a natural addition to everything from backyard cookouts to fresh salads and tacos.
They’re so beloved, in fact, that they even have their own holiday! National Avocado Day is celebrated each year on July 31, giving avocado lovers one more excuse to enjoy this fan favorite.
You’ve probably heard people refer to avocados as a source of “healthy fats.” But what exactly does that mean? The avocado benefits begin with monounsaturated fats, the type of fat often associated with supporting heart health when enjoyed as part of a balanced diet. These fats also help create that rich, creamy texture that makes avocados so satisfying.
Avocados also offer a variety of other nutritional perks, including:
Because they’re both filling and versatile, avocados are an easy way to add nutrition to meals without sacrificing flavor. Whether they’re blended into a smoothie, spread onto toast or diced over tacos, the avocado benefits make every bite a little more satisfying — and better for you.
Choosing a ripe avocado can feel like a bit of an art form, but a few simple tricks make it much easier. If you’re planning to enjoy your avocado the same day, look for one that yields slightly to gentle pressure without feeling mushy. If it’s firm, it’ll likely need another few days to ripen at home.
Another helpful trick? Check beneath the small stem cap. If it comes off easily and reveals green underneath, you’ve likely found a ripe avocado. Brown beneath the stem may indicate it’s overripe.
Once you get your avocados home, you can control the ripening process, too:
One of the best things about avocado recipes is their incredible versatility. Avocados fit just as comfortably into breakfast as they do lunch, dinner or snack time, making them one of the hardest-working ingredients in the kitchen.
Need a little inspo? Here are a few favorites from Food Town’s Recipes page.
Too hungry to click away? We get it, neighbor! Scroll to the bottom of this page a guacamole recipe that’s ready to make right now! And if you’re not sure how to get started, the image here from our friends at Avocados from Mexico offers tips to make avocado prep simple.
No matter how you’re enjoying them, avocados are one of the easiest ways to add fresh flavor and wholesome nutrition to your table. Your neighborhood Food Town is proud to offer fresh produce delivered daily, helping you find quality avocados and everything else you need to create delicious meals your family will love. Stop by soon, pick up a few perfectly ripe avocados and get inspired to try something new. We can’t wait to see you!
Basic Guacamole
Ingredients:
1 Ripe Avocado
1 Handful of Chopped Onion
1 Handful of Chopped Cilantro
1 Chopped Garlic Clove
1 Chopped Jalapeño
1 Handful of Chopped Tomato
1 Lime
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Instructions:
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