Avocados are delicious and nutritious. From Avocado toast and sandwiches to deliciously creamy smoothies packed with nutrition. Avocados are versatile and can be used in almost anything. However, their giant pits make them a hassle to cut into, let alone make pieces or slices. In 2017, UK grocer Marks and Spencer stocked something fairly peculiar — seedless avocados. They were dubbed “cocktail avocados” and the trend took off.
Seedless Avocado Health Benefits
The nutritional benefits of avocado are endless (well almost). They are a good source of healthy fat high in both soluble and insoluble fiber, and rich in vitamins B, C, E, and K.
They also have potassium and magnesium. In fact, a medium avocado has 60mg more potassium than a medium banana, per serving. They contain other necessary vitamins as well. Some studies have shown avocado supports heart, eye, and microbiome health.
The cool thing about seedless avocados is that they share the same health benefits as those with pits. Albeit they are smaller, so you’ll have to eat more in order to get the same caloric intake, fats, and vitamins.
Remarkable Origins
The seedless avocado was first grown by Domingo Umali. He was a public-school teacher and in 1960, decided to create the perfect avocado. Ace Estrada from the Facebook group, Rural Rising Ph, said of the fruit’s discovery, “With no formal training in agriculture… he taught himself grafting first by working with easy calamansi and later with the more challenging mango. This weird, wonderful avocado was his life’s work, completed towards the end.” Rural Rising Ph is a farm-to-table social group that focuses primarily on produce.
Because they grow during a very specific time of year and are in high demand finding “cocktail avocado” or the seeds to grow them can be difficult but not impossible. Occasionally, seeds to grow this variety of avocado are available for purchase on the group.
Are seedless avocados GMO?
Because seedless avocados differ from avocados with pits, people often wonder if they are genetically modified. The truth is that they are no more GMO than traditional avocados. Seedless avocados are simply, unpollinated avocado blossoms that develop without a pit. There are currently no GMO avocados despite there being 15 types of avocados, commonly consumed worldwide.
The most amazing thing about this variety of avocados often referred to as a “cocktail avocado” is its appearance. A seedless avocado resembles a cucumber in shape and often color. However, they are much smaller than a traditional avocados.
Seedless Avocado Worldwide
The discovery of the “cocktail avocado” was a game changer. People struggle to cut around the pit, often slicing their hands or fingers. Another convenient benefit of the “cocktail avocado” is that they are perfect if you want a quick, easy, and nutritious snack on the go. The seedless avocado grows in Spain and is exported to markets all around the world.
A market in the U.K. called Marks and Spencer got a shipment in 2017 and they couldn’t keep them in stock. Markets in Paris and the Philippines also sell these seasonal seedless avocados, as recently as 2021. Unfortunately, the seedless avocado only grows in December, so supply is scarce, so if you spot some be sure to not pass them up!
Keep Reading: We’re Facing a Butter Shortage Right Before the Holiday Baking Season
Sources
- “Seedless avocados exist-and they’re bizarre.” Men’s Journal. Men’s Journal. Erin Alexander. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
- “Are seedles avocados genetically modified?” Sweetish Hill. Elvira Bowen. August 7, 2022.
- “The trendiest fruit: The seedles avocado!” Laidback Gardener. Larry Hodgson. December 23, 2017.
- “Seedless avocado exists and it’s here in the Philippines. Noli Soli. Christian San Jose. June 10, 2021.
- ” Avocado hand injuries are real. is a seedless fruit the answer?” NPR. Maanvi Singh. December 15, 20017.