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The Hyped and Humble Avocado: An Analysis
Why we love them and why we don’t
Our favourite green little friend has been both adored and critcised by different generations, been the epicentre of controversies that no one really cares about (Markle versus Middleton), and has created an unprecedented level of anticipation in my household. “Are they ripe? Are they underripe?” Alas, they turn out to be rotten.
My point is, avocados have become a symbol of this century. A generational difference, an Instagram icon — I believe health food posts get flagged if they do not contain the trendy vegetable* — and perhaps even a conversation into how our actions affect the environment.
(*I gasp. I just googled — ’tis a fruit!)
Perhaps if I were more noble I would focus on the impacts of global warming etc. But as it happens, I am only talking about avocados because one featured in my dinner. I cut it myself, I even did the rather frightening stab one does at the stone to twist it out. I had already started my dinner.
So why did I go to all that trouble? Was the allure of the scaly, strangely pigmented skin to intense to resist? Did concerns of the ripeness flit through my mind?
No.
Quite simply, I was having a gluten-free crepe for dinner. Obviously, the savoury kind. I have nothing against the gluten-free community — I respect and understand your beliefs.
But this particular crepe had something lacking. All the flavour was there, yet not quite. May chance it was too dry? I clocked the avocado and realised that this was the time for it to shine.
It did not shine, in fact it was brown on the inside. But luckily I had a back up avocado, which was of a fine character and thoroughly decent compared to its kin. I accept no personal responsibility for not eating the first one earlier.
Back to dinner. As I suspected, the avocado had a transformative effect on the crepe. And this is when I had my epiphany — I figured out the avocado’s appeal, it’s claim to fame and fortune.
Simply put, everyone knows, on some subconscious level, that an avocado is just an ingredient. This may not sound so revelatory, but consider this: do you know anyone who…
