The UK is just behind France as the biggest market for avocados in Europe

An avocado a day for World Avocado Month

June is World Avocado Month and as an island of avocado lovers, the UK already knows how to make the most of the avocado. The UK is just behind France as the biggest market for avocados in Europe. Over 6,000 avocados are now sold every hour in the UK, according to the World Avocado Organization. But this ancient superfood is a far more versatile and sustainable ingredient than you might imagine - from hair masks to “Foie Guac”, there are so many ways you can enjoy the health benefits of the avocado without getting bored or harming the planet. The water footprint of the avocado is much lower than other fruit and veg that are grown and eaten daily throughout Europe. Take bananas, for example, producing a kilo of bananas requires at least 790 litres of water, or apples, which need 822 litres per kilo. What’s more, many avocado production areas are naturally irrigated.

As a consumer, you could cut down on single-use plastics by making your own skin and hair beauty products. Or reduce your meat consumption without compromising on taste or enjoyment with the World Avocado Organization’s (WAO) latest cookbook, Avocados in Bloom. This World Avocado Month, challenge yourself in the kitchen and see how many of the recipes you can try!

Get confident and creative in the kitchen with Avocados in Bloom

Avocados in Bloom is a free cookbook with over 50 original recipes that celebrates the aesthetic appeal of the avocado. With tips on how to pick the perfect avocado, this cookbook makes fun and fine dining accessible to everyone from seasoned chefs to beginners. Featuring the recipes of Collette Dike, the creative force behind the @fooddeco Instagram account, the book is also a guide to preparing and plating Michelin-worthy dishes at home.

Avocados in Bloom is also full of family-friendly recipes to get the kids involved. As Collette Dike explains in the book, “avocado is beneficial for babies and kids because it’s chock-full of vitamins, minerals and healthy fats. I started feeding my kids avocado from a young age - actually, from in utero! My avocado obsession started as a pregnancy craving while I was expecting my eldest daughter Mae. Avocado is perfect for feeding babies solids for the first time: I recommend mixing avocado with a bit of formula for a creamy texture that tastes like a mother’s milk.“

If you’re bulk buying, you can always save your avocados for later by freezing them. Frozen avocados are the perfect health boost to a refreshing summer smoothie or you could even make your own avocado ice cream, adding chocolate, lemon or whatever else is in your favourite flavour! To prep avocados for freezing, simply peel them and remove the stone before chopping. A splash of lemon juice will keep it from oxidising and turning brown before you’re ready to use it.

“We’ve put together this cookbook to inspire home cooks across the UK to challenge themselves and try a new avocado recipe every day of World Avocado Month. This creativity is matched by the ingenuity of our partners who are always investing in innovative advances and new technologies to make the cultivation and production of avocados more eco-friendly. Like reusing and making the most of all water sources in the production area, as is the case during the thawing season in the Andes when temperatures start to rise. WAO members work to ensure a sustainable and safe supply chain, creating jobs around the world and bringing you all the benefits of the superfood while respecting our planet”, explains Xavier Equihua, the CEO of the World Avocado Organization.

Good for you, inside and out

The avocado’s versatility as an ingredient goes well beyond the kitchen. Applied topically, avocado can nourish and hydrate many skin types. You might already know it’s full of vitamins but the avocado also contains lutein, a carotenoid that promotes skin elasticity, while oleic acid and chlorophyll help reduce redness and inflammation. Making your own face and hair masks with avocados and a handful of other ingredients you probably already have (think yoghurt, honey and olive oil) is self-care made easy and affordable. You don’t even need other ingredients. A sliver of avocado under each eye for 20 minutes is a straightforward eye-brightening moisture boost!

“Whether it’s plating up a storm in the kitchen or including it in your skincare routine, we want everyone to make the most of World Avocado Month and enjoy the affordable, accessible luxury of the avocado”, adds Xavier Equihua.

Although this recipe calls for some unusual ingredients, they are worth the hunt! Empty oyster shells can be found at your local fish market. Wakame is a flavorful seaweed that can be found in the Asian section of your supermarket. The extra research is completely worth it to make this stunning platter. The oyster shells can be washed and reused for your next party—very sustainable!