Have You Tried Avocado Chocolate Mousse?

Avocados are loved endlessly around the world. So, it’s a good thing there are lots of them, especially in Dominica when avocados are in season.

Avocados are available at the Portsmouth fresh produce market.

There are more than 500 types of avocados in the world. The exact number of types of avocados is impossible to nail down, as new variations are constantly being created through selective breeding and natural genetic variation. All avocados, however, do fall into one of three groups: Mexican (my personal favorite), Guatemalan, and Indian.

The history of the avocado is a lengthy one—it’s an evolution. Avocados are in the Laurel tree family, which is part of the same family as cinnamon, camphor, sassafras, and bay leaves.

The avocado is believed to predate humans. That’s right, avocados grew wild in the Nutrient-rich soil found in subtropical and tropical areas of the Americas. And the ancestors of the avocados we know and love today looked a little different than what we’re used to smashing on our avocado toast. Ancient avocados were mostly pit.

The word avocado originally comes from the ancient Nahuatl (or Aztec) word “ahuacatl.”

The word avocado originally comes from the ancient Nahuatl (or Aztec) word “ahuacatl.” Spanish explorers in the 16th century incorrectly referred to the fruit as “aguacate,” and even George Washington took his own twist on the name referring to them as “agovago pears.” Finally, we settled on “avocado” in 1696 when Irish naturalist Sir Hans Sloane mentioned the plant in a catalog of Jamaican plants. His less popular name for it was an “alligator pear tree” because of the rigid alligator-like skin.

Known locally as ‘Pear’, ‘Avocado Pear’ or ‘Zaboca’, this popular fruit’s main bearing season ranges from about August – November.

Home-made Avocado Chocolate Mousse served at Hotel The Champs.

Avocados are a great source of B vitamins, vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin E, and potassium. They also have higher fat content than most fruit, so they’re great for vegetarians or vegans who don’t get their fat from meat, fish or dairy. And although it started as a popular salad ingredient in the 1950s, we’ve since discovered so many other amazing and delicious ways to use this fruit in our cuisine.

Some of our special avocado dishes are avocado chocolate mousse with whipped cream. And the Mexican favorite, guacamole, enjoyed on local fried plantain chips. Or just some slices of Avocado on your toast for breakfast at Hotel The Champs.