Avocado is a good and healthy exotic fruit. We are used to tasting the pulp but what few people know is that the stone can also be consumed with great benefits. So we reveal how avocado seed is eaten and its uses in the kitchen.
We all know the avocado fruit with its green pulp, fleshy and rich in good fats as well as minerals and vitamins. However, we usually consume it by discarding the large seed that is in the center of the fruit or, if we really want to be virtuous, we “recycle” it by planting it in pots or in the garden, thus hoping in a short time to see a new plant grow.
Well know that it is possible to use the avocado stone in another way since this part of the fruit is also edible. Indeed, we tell you more: in that hard and compact seed that is found in the heart of the fruit and that we usually discard, there are many properties.
So let’s find out all the reasons why it would be good to consume (in moderation) also the avocado seed.
Avocado seed: properties
Among the properties of the avocado seed stands out the high content of antioxidants and amino acids (a much higher quantity than that present in the pulp of the fruit) but also fiber, vitamin E and active ingredients that have demonstrated anticancer properties.
It is therefore a real natural remedy that we have available to fight free radicals and prevent cellular aging. But not only that: the avocado kernel is a friend of the heart as it helps to lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides; supports and strengthens immune defenses; it is antibacterial and antifungal, it is excellent for treating gastrointestinal problems thanks to its astringent qualities and also boasts, according to tradition, aphrodisiac qualities.
The avocado seed is also an ally for those who want to shed extra pounds, in fact it can help weight loss thanks to its thermogenic (or fat burning) properties. Moreover, thanks to the presence of soluble fibers, it also contributes to increasing the sense of satiety with great advantages for those who follow a controlled diet.
Finally, it is a good tonic for the body able to help fight fatigue and asthenia thanks also to the presence of important mineral salts such as calcium, magnesium and potassium.
Avocado seed: how to eat it
But how do you actually eat avocado seed? There are basically two possibilities. Let’s see them:
1. The first way to use avocado seed is to grate it over your favorite dishes like another type of condiment. To do this, however, you must first remove the skin covering the core, wash it well, dry it and let it dry for a few days. If you like, you can then toast it lightly (in this case it will take on a reddish color) or use it as it is.
Once treated to its best, avocado seed can also be stored (grated or whole) in a tightly closed glass jar and kept in a cool, dry place. To grate it, since it is a hard core, we advise you to use a coffee grinder.
2. The second option you have is to use avocado seed to make herbal tea. Half of it is enough: you have to boil it for about 10 minutes and then let it cool before removing it and drinking the infusion made from it. This herbal tea is particularly useful against gastrointestinal problems, especially diarrhea.
How to use avocado seed
The uses of avocado seed in cooking are basically those that see it as an exceptional condiment over first or second courses but also as an extra touch to flavor sauces such as guacamole or cereal and legume soups as well as salads. Another possibility is to use it to enrich smoothies and fruit and vegetable extracts. The taste tends towards bitterness and therefore may not be appreciated by everyone.
Avocado seed can be useful not only in cooking, it is also excellent to apply to the skin to stimulate cell regeneration and collagen formation or to quickly eliminate pimples. What is the avocado seed used for? It can also help in case of joint or muscle pain.
Now that you have found out why to eat avocado seed, don’t take advantage of it too much. In fact, there are also possible contraindications.
Contraindications of avocado seed
Once you have discovered how avocado seed is eaten and how to use it in the kitchen, be careful not to abuse it. The avocado stone, given the high presence of tannins, if consumed excessively can cause constipation or other gastrointestinal problems. The dose of avocado seed not to be exceeded is half for adults if used in the form of an infusion or a quarter in the case of children. If grated, it is better to further reduce the doses.
