By: Daniel Nardini

Fact: Mexico grows over 40 percent of all the world’s avocados. Fact: the avocado is very nutritious and helps to clean out the blood stream. Fact: the avocado is an important part of the Mexican diet. It is an ingredient in almost every dish served in Mexico. The avocado was first cultivated in Mexico about 12,000 years ago. Avocados were known to just about every Native Mexican civilization from the Olmecs and the Toltecs to the Aztecs.

But now Mexicans have seen a rise in the price of avocados. To put it mildly this has many Mexicans upset since it is part of the diet. Two factors have influenced this. First, this year has seen drought that has affected the crop of avocados on the market. The second reason is the sheer world demand for this fruit. The avocado has become popular in many other parts of the world for the same reasons in Mexico—it is a very nutritious food. The second country with the largest demand for avocados by far is the United States. Americans are coming to love this fruit and the health benefits it provides.

Actually, the Mexican farmers are happy that there is demand for their avocados. Even though they have not had as good a crop this year, avocados remain in high demand. I personally love avocados, and they make a great part of a salad or as guacamole or just eaten alone with a touch of touch of salt. For all those looking for something to munch on any time of the day, I recommend the avocado.