Scientific Name: Persea americana
Order: Laurales
Family: Persea
In brief California avocado has:
pantothenic acid (1.46 mg | 29% DV)
folate (89.00 mcg | 22% DV)
vitamin K (21.00 mcg | 18% DV)
California avocado (Persea americana) is in the Lauraceae family. An avocado is a fruit and not a vegetable. California avocado fruit have greenish or yellowish flesh with a buttery consistency and a rich, nutty flavor. The state of California has about 3000 avocado growers covering roughly 50000 acres of land.
Avocados contain fat (20% daily value [DV]). Most of the fat is monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which can improve a person's blood cholesterol levels. Avocados have folate (22% DV), which is also known as vitamin B9. Folate helps the body form red blood cells and is crucial during early pregnancy for reducing the risk of brain and spinal birth defects. Another B-vitamin, pantothenic acid (29% DV), is also present in avocados. This vitamin plays a role in hormone metabolism.
The amount of vitamin K (18% DV) in avocados is beneficial for bone health and normal blood clotting. The fiber (24% DV) in avocado aids in bowel movement and cholesterol management, as well as lowers the chance of heart diseases. A famous dip that is made from avocado is guacamole, which is an Aztecan or Nahuan word meaning "avocado soup".