Did you know National Avocado Day is July 31, 2025? Avocados have a pear-like shape and are dark green on the outside and yellow green on the inside with a large brown pit in the center. Avocados might be mistaken for a vegetable, but they are actually a fruit.

Avocados need warm sun during the day and a cool breeze at night to grow. California is the largest producer of avocados grown in the U.S. and are grown by about 3,000 California Avocado farmers. It takes about 14-18 months to grow a single avocado in California; each tree can produce about sixty pounds of fruit per season. The season is typically from spring through summer.

Avocados are a nutrient dense food and provide a significant amount of fiber, potassium, magnesium, folate, vitamin K, and vitamin E. These fruits also provide us with many health benefits which include supporting healthy blood pressure and better heart health.

When buying avocados look for ones that are green in color and firm. Avocados will ripen in seven days at room temperature, as they ripen the skin will continue to turn a dark green and will begin to feel softer and not as firm. Once the avocados are ripened, they are ready to use or can be placed in the refrigerator. If you need to speed up the ripening process place the fruit in a small brown paper bag for 1-3 days checking daily.

How to cut an avocado:

1. Place on a cutting board and cut the avocado in half lengthwise around the pit.
2. Twist the halves apart and lift the pit out with a spoon.
3. Gently spoon around the edges and scoop to serve.

Do you plan on only using half an avocado? Coat the inside with lemon juice and tightly wrap the avocado in plastic wrap and place in the fridge. This will keep the avocado from turning brown for a couple of days.

Avocados can be used in a variety of different ways like on a salad, sandwich, or toast.

Check out this guacamole recipe from celebrateyourplate.org

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe avocados
• 1 clove garlic, minced OR 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 tablespoons lime juice (about 1 lime)
• 1/4 small onion, diced
• 2 small tomatoes, diced
• 3 pickled jalapeño peppers, diced (optional)
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• 1/8 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. Before you begin, wash your hands, surfaces, utensils, and produce.
2. Halve 1 avocado by placing it on a cutting board and cutting in half around the pit. Turn halves of avocado in separate directions to separate. Remove pit with a spoon and scoop avocado out of skin into a large bowl. Repeat with remaining avocados.
3. Add garlic to avocados and mash with a fork or back of mixing spoon.
4. Add lime juice and mix well.
5. Add salt to taste.
6. Add onions, tomatoes, jalapeños, and cilantro to avocado mixture. Stir well.
7. Chill in the refrigerator for 15-30 minutes and serve with baked tortilla chips and/or veggies.

Kaitlynn Henninge is an OSU Extension Family & Consumer Sciences Educator and may be reached at 330-264-8722 or henninge.5@osu.edu
CFAES provides research and related educational programs to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis. For more information, visit cfaesdiversity.osu.edu
This article was previously published in The Daily Record.