How to prepare avocado seed for eating? Avocados are known health promoters packed with vitamins and antioxidants that do wonders for our skin, blood, tissues, and organs. But the seed is actually where most of the nutritional potential of the fruit resides. The seed contains 70 percent of the antioxidants in avocado, including the highly respected polyphenols associated with green tea. But that is not all!
Avocado seeds have more soluble fiber than even top-tier fiber providers have. It has antioxidants that help regulate bowel function and has even been shown to prevent tumor growth. In addition, the oil increases the amount of collagen in our skin, keeping you young and wrinkle-free, as well as brightening the hair so that we remain beautiful.
According to Purdue University, when the seed is cut into pieces, roasted, and powdered, it can be consumed to help overcome diarrhea and dysentery. The powdered form of the seed can help alleviate dandruff, and a piece of the seed placed in the dental cavity could eliminate toothache. And because the milk from the avocado seed turns slightly red when exposed to air. It can be used as a topical or flushing ointment to redden the cheeks by causing dilated capillaries and increased blood circulation.
What is an avocado seed?
The avocado is a single seedless berry. It has three layers of tissue:
The skin (the outer layer called the exocarp).
- The fleshy and edible part (the middle layer called the mesocarp).
- The seed or pit (the inner layer called the endocarp).
Since the endocarp (avocado pit) surface is hard and leathery, it needs to be cracked and peeled off to get to the softer part.
Some people peel the outer layer off the fresh hole, while others first dehydrate the hole in the oven and then discard the outer layer. Studies carried out on the healthy properties, or the possible use in the food industry (for example, flour) use avocado extracts prepared from dry seeds. As it is a storage part of the plant, the seed/avocado contains various nutrients.
The seed contains a milky liquid similar in almond odor and flavor. Due to its tannin content, it turns red once exposed to air; However, some say the liquid is not edible. This red-brown or blackish “ink” was used to write many documents during the Spanish conquest, now preserved in the Popayán archives. Avocado seed ink has also been used to mark cotton and linen textiles.
Read Also: How To Make Avocado Seed Powder At Home? 11 Easy Steps To Follow For The Preparation
Potential benefits of avocado seed
- Show promising antitumor activity
According to Leung’s Encyclopedia of Common Natural Ingredients, the avocado seed contains biscatechin, a condensed flavanol. One study isolated biscatechin from avocado seeds and tested it on mice and rats. Biscatechin was shown in vitro to have antimicrobial activity and antitumor effects in animals.
Another study published in the American Journal of Chinese Medicine noted that catechin is a flavanol that offers several health benefits, such as neuroprotective, antioxidant, antitumor, and anti-hepatitis characteristics. Flavonol shows that it is capable of suppressing inflammation in possible cancer cells.
- Great source of antioxidants
Did you know that avocado seed is a great antioxidant? According to a study conducted at the National University of Singapore, avocado seed offers more antioxidant activity than some fruit that are eaten more frequently. The study shares that seeds can contain more than 70 percent of the antioxidants found in all fruit. That makes avocado seed a powerful antioxidant resource.
- It can help Alzheimer’s patients.
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brain and is considered one of the most neurodegenerative diseases on the planet. Many studies have been conducted to review the phytochemical content of the avocado seed.
An evaluation published in the Journal of Basic and Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology showed evidence of saponins, alkaloids, and terpenoids in avocado seed extracts. According to the researchers, these phytochemicals may offer a natural approach to help control the effects of Alzheimer’s disease, concluding: “The anticholinesterase and antioxidant activities of avocado leaves and seeds could be linked to their phytoconstituents and could be the possible mechanisms underlying its use as a cheap and natural treatment/management of AD.
- Can help balance cholesterol levels
The avocado seed is one of the top fiber-rich foods on the planet, and we know that fiber can help balance cholesterol levels. That may be why research shows that avocado seeds can lower cholesterol. Research from the Department of Food Science at Penn State University details the benefits of avocado seed on cardiovascular health.
Avocado seeds can improve hypercholesterolemia and be useful in treating hypertension, inflammatory conditions, and diabetes. Seeds have also been found to possess insecticidal, fungicidal, and antimicrobial activities.
- Works as a natural food coloring
Since conventional food coloring and food dyes contain ingredients based on chemicals, it is better to choose natural options. You may have heard of beets that are used to create a reddish color.
Research has found that when crushed and mixed with water, the avocado seed develops an orange color. This is great news since many foods, especially baby foods, are loaded with toxic dyes. Specifically, the numbered colors FD&C blue # 1 and # 2, green # 3, red # 3; and yellows # 5 and # 6 are synthetic or artificial colors. These colors are made from coal tar or oil and can cause all kinds of health problems, such as allergies, asthma, hyperactivity, and cancer. Artificial food colors have been banned in various developed countries.
- Can help eliminate microbial growth
The residue from the avocado seed is rich in polyphenols, making the seeds powerful antioxidants and antimicrobials. Polyphenols include catechin, epicatechin, and chlorogenic and protocatechuic acid. This residue has been applied to pork burgers in studies, demonstrating that avocado seed residue effectively prevents oxidation and microbial growth.
Another study showed the effects that ground avocado has on meat. Over eight days, ground beef was observed containing 0.5 percent seed powder and 0.1 percent lyophilized extract. Little oxidation occurred, meaning the protection was over 90 percent. To take into account, the study indicates that avocado oil, added directly to pork burgers, had a similar effect.
Why do you want to eat an avocado seed?
The avocado seed represents approximately 16% of the total weight of the fruit, like the current avocado production in the USA. The USA Exceeds 350 million tons per year; the seeds weigh around 56 million tons. Wouldn’t it be great to find a way to incorporate it into our diet, especially if it has some health benefits?
As well, the avocado seed is large and looks like a giant walnut. It is rich in nutrients and phytochemicals with healing properties. Many studies show promising results on a wide variety of health benefits. So throwing them away seems like a big waste and bad for the environment. It must be good to eat, right?
While it sounds like a good idea, how do we know it’s safe? It would be an extraordinary discovery if an avocado seed turned out to be a superfood.
Where does this new trend of eating an avocado seed come from?
Mixing fresh or dried avocado seeds into a powder and adding them to a smoothie or breakfast cereal is becoming a “thing,” and avocado seed is becoming a hot new “superfood.” The consumption of avocado seeds became popular just a few years ago by a handful of non-scientific “health” websites. The information generally includes instructions on eating an avocado seed and claims of its exceptionally high nutritional value.
However, the health claims made on these blogs have no reference to scientific evidence and rather vaguely mention that “studies show” or provide links to other non-scientific websites. This trend is spreading rapidly with the help of popular recipe blogs, but the uncertainty remains. What evidence do we have that this new food is edible and will not be toxic to us?
On the other hand, other sources warn against the consumption of avocado seeds due to the potential toxicity of tannins or other substances that are not suitable for human consumption. However, these sites have no references, so the basis for these warnings is unclear.
How to prepare avocado seed for eating?
- Wash the fruit. Rinse the avocado under cool, lukewarm water, gently rubbing the peel with your fingers.
- – It is important to wash the avocado even if you do not consume the peel. Otherwise, dirt and bacteria from the skin may penetrate the meat when peeling.
- – Do not use soap to clean the avocado.
- – Dry the avocado with a clean paper towel or a clean cloth after rinsing it.
- – Note that your hands must be clean before washing the avocado. Use warm soapy water to rub your hands for 20 seconds before starting to prepare the avocado.
- Place the avocado on a safe surface. Lay the avocado on its side. It will be easier and safer to cut the avocado on one side than the end, as more skin surfaces will be fixed in place.
- – To help prevent slipping, place a clean tea towel or non-slip silicone mat on the counter or cutting board under the avocado.
- Slice the avocado in half lengthwise. Use a sharp kitchen knife to slice the avocado from top to bottom.
- – Note that with the avocado on its side, it will make a horizontal cut through the long side of the fruit instead of the short wide side.
- – Tightly grasp the avocado in your non-dominant hand. If necessary, support the fruit with a towel for more traction and a firmer grip.
- – Start from the narrowest end, or the “top,” and to the widest end, or the “bottom.”
- – You will need to cut around the hole in the center of the fruit. You will not be able to get through it.
- Rotate the two halves to separate them. Lift the fruit with both hands and rotate the halves in opposite directions to separate them.
- – Firmly hold the two halves of the avocado. Use one hand to rotate the half toward you and the other hand to rotate the other half away from you. You may need to move and rotate the halves from side to side to release them.
- – When you separate the two halves, the hole will still be housed on one side of the fruit. You will need to remove it before peeling the avocado.
Removing the seed
- Scoop out the seed with a metal spoon. This is the safest technique you can use to remove the peel from the avocado.
- Slide the tip of the spoon between the hole and the surrounding flesh. Gently push the bucket under the pit, following the side of the well as closely as possible.
- Surround the spoon the hole to loosen it from the surrounding flesh on all sides
- Slide the spoon under the avocado hole and lift it up and out.
To eat the avocado seed, it must be ground into a powder. To do this, you can crush it with a mallet. Just put it in a thick plastic bag first. Another option is to dry it. To dry it, put it in the oven for a couple of hours at about 250 degrees. Then, take it out of the oven and remove the outer skin. Wear an oven mitt to protect yourself from the heat of the avocado seed.
Now that you have dried it press down with the back of a thick blade to split the hole in two. Cut the hole halves and toss in a high-power blender. Press or grind until you have reached the consistency of a powder. You can also use a cheese grater, a spice grinder, or a mortar and pestle. Store in a sealed container in your refrigerator.
Now that you have this nourishing powder, what do you do with it? Since it is bitter due to the tannins, it contains, using it with other ingredients, such as a banana, pineapple, and spinach, making a smoothie may be the best way. However, you can sprinkle it on your morning eggs or put it in soup or salad. Another option is to put the powder in capsules found in health food stores and consume it as a supplement.
Avocado seeds versus other seeds
While it is still debated whether eating ground avocado seeds is a good option, it has been compared to the process of extracting phenolic compounds from strawberries, apple pulp, and chestnut residue. But it would help if you were careful when it comes to seeds, as not all seeds are safe to eat. Apricot and peach kernels contain cyanide called the amygdala. And while it would probably take a long time to get sick, it’s best to stay safe when it comes to seeds or any food if you’re not sure.
Precautions: Is it safe to eat avocado seeds?
Is it safe to eat the avocado seed? The California Avocado Commission says that eating flesh is excellent, but the seed is not so good. It claims that there is simply not enough research, as noted in a 2013 research study from Pennsylvania State University. The university also indicated that the safety of the various extracts of avocado seeds should be evaluated to more fully estimate the usefulness of this resource.
A good rule of thumb is to avoid anything new or lacking research, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have any health conditions. Consult a doctor for more information. The good news is that research is coming, and the first indications are beneficial and could be promising if other studies confirm it.
How much avocado seed should I use?
Due to the slightly bitter taste of avocado seed, you may want to start with modest amounts. Instead of putting all the seed in your recipe, try adding a tablespoon and adding more to the taste.
- Slip it into a smoothie
Put a tablespoon of crushed avocado seeds in your next smoothie. Not only is it an easy way to drink its nutrients, but the avocado seed flavor works quite well with smoothies, balancing the sweetness of the fruits.
- Add it to a sauce
Sauces with strong flavors, such as mole or pesto, are ideal for using avocado seed, as the bitterness will add an interesting umami element to the dish without surpassing the other flavors of the sauce.
- Make hearty whole wheat bread.
The next time you make hearty rye or a loaf of healthy whole wheat bread, add a tablespoon or more crushed avocado seeds. It will give a unique flavor to your bread that works in harmony with whole grains.
- Enjoy with yogurt
Mixing a small amount of ground avocado seeds with yogurt, nuts, and berries is a great way to mask the slightly bitter taste and add a nice contrast to sweet and spicy ingredients. Why not try it with a little homemade yogurt?
- Cold soup
Are you looking for a gazpacho alternative? Try a cold avocado soup with lots of flavor and nutrients. Mix avocado seed powder and avocado, cucumber, vegetable broth, yogurt, milk, and onion. Add a little lemon juice and chopped mint for added flavor, and season with ground pepper. Chill at night and enjoy warm weather!
- Ice-cream
Make avocados your sweet ice cream! Mix avocado seed powder, coconut milk, honey, and a little lemon juice for a rich homemade dessert. For an extra flavor, you can add a ripe banana. Freeze overnight and enjoy the next day!
- Chocolate chip cookies
Make your favorite chocolate chip cookies without adding tons of butter! Avocados are an excellent substitute for the sticks of butter you mix in your batter. Enjoy a fluffy soft chocolate chip cookie without the guilt.
- Hummus
Prepare a healthy snack for family and friends at your next gathering. Mix the chickpeas, avocado powder, garlic, lemon juice, tahini, and olive oil to create a delicious vegetable sauce. Top with grape tomatoes and parsley for even more flavor.
- Tea
Avocado seed tea to treat stomach pain. You can treat a Stomach ache by drinking a hot tea made from the pit. Cut the seed in half and place it in a cup of boiling water for 10 minutes, then drink this infusion slowly.
Another way to make tea is to dry the pit and break it down using a spice blender. Add a tablespoon of this powder to a cup of hot water and drink it slowly.
A video entitled You’ll Never Throw Away Avocado Seed After Watching This Video Tutorial On How To Make Avocado Tea
Avocado storage techniques
Ripe avocados can be stored for two to three days in the refrigerator uncut. To store cut fruit, sprinkle with lemon juice, lime juice, or white vinegar, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, or place it in an airtight container and then refrigerate. This will prevent it from fading.
Known facts about an avocado seed
In recent years, scientists have begun to explore the avocado seed’s potential culinary and medicinal uses. Most studies, performed on animals or in vitro, are only preliminary.
The following is a summary of what we currently know;
Chemical composition of an avocado seed:
- Humidity – 54.1%
- Starch – 27.5%
- Sugars – 3.5%
- Protein – 2.4%
- Ash (mineral content) – 1.2%
- Fat – 0.8%
- Phytochemicals (phytosterols, alkaloids, triterpenes, tannins, fatty acids, furanoic acids, abscisic acid, proanthocyanidins, two new abscisic acid glycosides, saponins, persin, and polyphenols).
- High concentration of potassium and phosphorous, and a lower concentration of magnesium and calcium.
- Contains substances that, in a laboratory setting, display potentially powerful health properties.
- Most of the nutrients and phytochemicals that exist also exist in the well in a higher concentration.
- Contains a high proportion of soluble dietary fiber (ideal for both constipation and diarrhea) and neutral detergent fiber.
- Fresh seeds, not dried ones, contain tannins and polyphenols (flavonoids). The safe limit of these tannins in humans is currently unknown.
- From a culinary perspective, avocado seeds taste awful. However, ongoing studies are investigating the potential use of avocado seeds in flour production. High levels of minerals (about twice that of normal flour), carbohydrates, and fiber sound promising. More studies are needed.
- However, the avocado seed meal was not suitable for baking due to the low level of gluten.
- Insecticidal properties were found in vitro experiments.