Avocado Story
Mankind's love affair with the avocado stretches back millenia. Nomadic tribesmen fed on avocados while exploring the forests of Central Mexico. Generations laterthe Mayans and Aztecs cultivated the fruit as a staple in their societies.
The ahuacate, a pebbly-skinned, pear-shaped fruit, has been a staple food in Mexico since 500 B.C. In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors fell in love with the fruit after observing its prized status among the Aztecs.
Avocado trees were first planted in Ventura County in 1871. During the next hundred years, avocado growers were seeing the avocado's potential. By the 1950s around 25 different varieties of avocados were being commercially packed and shipped in California.
Today, California is the leading producer of domestic avocados and home to about 90 percent of the nation’s crop. California Avocados are grown year-round. A single California Avocado tree can produce up to 200 pounds of fresh fruit each year, approximately 500 pieces, although most average around 60 pounds or 150 pieces of fruit.
