Shepard Avocado!

Contrary to popular belief, Shepard avocados do not contain any cholesterol. In fact, all fruit is free from cholesterol.

Shepard avocados are perfect for salads and dips because the flesh won't go brown once cut (no need for the lemon and clingwrap trick!) Spread avocado liberally on your breakfast toast, add them to your sandwich at lunchtime or mix them into your salad or pasta for dinner.

Shepard avocado grower, Mrs Verna De Lai, says there is more to this delicious fruit than we realise. "Avocados are good for the body - both inside and out. Each one of these flavoursome fruits contains folate, vitamins A, B6 and C, potassium (more than bananas!) and protein."

Levels of vitamins E, B1, B2 and B3 mean that avocados are great for healing, repairing and restoring the skin.

"These nutritional qualities and smooth consistency make avocados one of the first fresh fruits a baby can enjoy. Shepard avocados are described as a whole food, which means that each piece of fruit contains the vitamins and minerals that are essential for infant development. Due to their high energy content, avocados are ideal for healthy, growing bodies."

Pureeing an avocado is not just good for baby; the ease of preparation makes avocados good for new mothers too! "It is true that avocados have a higher level of fats than most other fruits, however it is important to realise what type of fat this is," says Verna De Lai.

"Avocados are high in monounsaturated fat (the good fat) and contain more than canola or olive oil. Monounsaturated fats are an essential part of anyone's diet, as they have been found to assist in actually lowering cholesterol levels."

"Putting it into perspective, butter contains around 80% of saturated fat, whilst avocados have been found to contain almost 25% of monounsaturated fat. Avocados really are nature's own butter!"

Shepard avocados are grown in on the Atherton Tableland and in Bundaberg, Queensland - the only places Shepards are grown in the world!

Alternative uses for Shepard Avocados

• Spread Shepard avocado generously on your favourite wholegrain or sour dough bread.
• Wrap sliced Shepard avocado in rice and nori rolls and serve with your favourite sushi.
• Make your own facial moisturiser or massage lotion with blended Shepard avocado.
• Include Shepards in a homemade ice-cream recipe.
• Puree Shepards with coffee and run to make an exotic cocktail.
• Present colourfully wrapped Shepard avocados as gifts to friends.
• Slice and decorate your favourite meal with a Shepard avocado fan.

Facts about Avocados

• Avocados are believed to have been first eaten in Mexico around the 10th Century.
• Avocados have been found in Aztecs tombs, dating back to 750 BC.
• European sailors used avocados to add some colour to their provisions, naming the fruit "Midshipman's Butter".
• Avocados were known in early America as "Alligator Pears".
• The word "avocado" is thought to have originated from the Spanish word "Aguacate".

Selection and Storage of Shepard Avocados