
The Science of Avocados
Season 2 Episode 22 | 2m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
Let's take a look at the chemistry behind our most beloved fruit; avocados.
Let's take a look at the chemistry behind our most beloved fruit; avocados. Whether they’re in a big bowl of guacamole or scooped on top of your salad, avocados enjoy a special place in our hearts and stomachs. On top of being tasty, avocados are a noted superfood with a number of fantastic health benefits. We've mashed up some fantastic avocado facts, as well as some cooking tips from the pros.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback

The Science of Avocados
Season 2 Episode 22 | 2m 49sVideo has Closed Captions
Let's take a look at the chemistry behind our most beloved fruit; avocados. Whether they’re in a big bowl of guacamole or scooped on top of your salad, avocados enjoy a special place in our hearts and stomachs. On top of being tasty, avocados are a noted superfood with a number of fantastic health benefits. We've mashed up some fantastic avocado facts, as well as some cooking tips from the pros.
Problems playing video? | Closed Captioning Feedback
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Unlike any other fruit yes, avocados are fruits these things have an incredibly distinct, creamy texture and brilliant flavor that make for ridiculously perfect dip.
On top of that, avocados are a noted superfood with a number of fantastic health benefits.
Well folks, today we've mashed up something good for you: some ripe avocado chemistry and some tips from the pros for the casual avocado connoisseur.
Inside this little fruit is a wealth of health benefits.
It's high in fiber, has double the potassium content of one of these, it's loaded with vitamin B12 and vitamin E, and has high concentrations of monounsaturated fatty acids.
It contain valuable, cancer battling antioxidants, and has fats inside of it that help us absorb more nutrients from other foods.
I mean the works.
On top of the benefits inside, the thick skin on the outside protects the healthy flesh inside from any residual pesticides making avocados are one of the safest fruits to eat.
Another big plus is that inside that flesh are 11 different carotenoids, which are special chemicals known as phytonutrients.
These things help fight against certain kinds of cancer and heart disease.
The highest concentration of these compounds can be found right here in the dark green portion just beneath the skin.
For this reason, there is a proper way to cut and peel your avocado for maximum health benefit...
Step one.
Cut vertically, all the way around the pit of the avocado.
Step two.
Twist both sides.
Step Three.
Remove the pit from the one half by hacking at it with a knife and twist like so.
Step four.
Cut your two halves into four quarters.
Step five.
Instead of digging in with a spoon, just peel the skin from the ripe, green flesh, and it will come of nice and smooth.
The rougher looking portion on the outside that touched the skin is incredibly healthy stuff!
Most of the time, if you're going through these steps, you're in the mood for some guac.
Any seasoned veteran in dip making knows this stuff will brown very quickly.
This is due to compounds in the fruit called phenols.
When exposed to oxygen, these phenols will convert into another class of compounds called quinones.
Over time, quinones link together, forming A pigment called melanin the same stuff that gives human skin its color.
And if you've ever thought avocado flesh turns brown way faster than other fruits, you're not wrong.
Avocados carry a boat-load of an enzyme called polyphenol oxidase that speeds up this whole pigment production process.
So how do you stop your guacamole browning?
Here's some quick tips.
First, every good guac recipe should include some lime.
The acids in lime juice actually slow down that enzyme from speeding up the browning.
After you've had your fill of dip you can take some saran wrap and press it right up against your guac.
The less air pockets the better.
Another interesting trick is if you've made a thick dip, and have a good amount left over, cover it with a layer of water and put it in the fridge.
When you're ready for more dip, dump the excess water out and stir it up.
These two methods keep oxygen away from your delicious treat.


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