Comparing Avocados and Tomatoes

I find both avocados (Persea americana) and tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) interesting because they are both considered culinary vegetables but botanically speaking they are berries. I think that the only reason that they are labelled as vegetables is because they are not as sweet tasting as many other fruits used for human consumption. Nevertheless both tomatoes and avocados have become popular in among modern health conscious western consumers.

Tomatoes have been popular for a longer period of time. They are almost iconic of the great exchange that occurred when European explorers brought back plants and animals back from the Americas for European use. The name tomato is actually derived from the word tomatl which was the Aztec name for the plant. Tomatoes originally grew in Western South America but have now been spread around the world. It is hard to imagine Italian food without tomatoes and yet they have only been in Europe for a few centuries.

Tomatoes belong to the family Solanaceae which contains many toxic plants. Fortunately, tomatoes are not only edible but also delicious. Tomatoes can be eaten raw and are often added as toppings to sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, and salads. They can be made into sauces for pizza or pasta or made into ketchup. There are different sizes of tomatoes, some being larger than an apple while others (Cherry tomatoes) can be eaten in one bite. In the south of the U.S. people even eat green tomatoes. Typically, tomatoes have a slightly sweet taste but they can be sour if not fully ripe. They contain lycopene which helps to prevent cancer development.

Tomatoes are relatively tolerant plants but they do not fare well in cold climates. They also prefer slightly acidic soils that are well drained. There dense foliage maximizes sunlight capture. The most interesting adaptation that tomato plants possess is that their vines have pubescences that can recognize soil and will correspondingly alter the vine into a root when it comes into contact with soil.

Avocados have only recently exploded in popularity due to their seemingly endless health benefits. To list a few, they have more potassium than bananas, possess high levels of healthy unsaturated fatty acids, and leave consumers more satisfied and less likely to overeat.

It also helps that they have a somewhat unique and delectable taste and texture. The taste is subtle and but certainly distinct. It’s almost buttery texture, however, makes it a very popular addition to many meals. Avocado chunks are used in salads, burgers, sandwiches, and even sushi rolls. Of course, avocadoes are the essential ingredient to guacamole too.

Avocados originated from Mexico. Their rise in popularity has led to severe deforestation in Mexico (where they are native to) to supply the demand for avocados in North America. This is likely not sustainable. Unlike some other foods such as coffee that are consumed in mass proportions, there are no sustainability certifications for avocado production to indicate that it is being harvested in a sustainable manner. Avocados also don’t make for good cash crops because they are not very tolerant. They need high levels of sun and water but flooding kills them. One interesting adaptation they have is that they have hermaphroditic flowers but when the flower first opens it is pistallite, but after it closes and reopens it becomes staminate. This adaptation prevents self-pollination.

I really enjoy both tomatoes and avocados. I take tomatoes for granted because I think I probably eat them every day in some form. I should probably reduce my consumption of avocadoes but I know I won’t be able to completely swear them off. Guacamole is just too good.

Text Sources

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/12-proven-benefits-of-avocado#section1

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/23-ways-to-eat-avocados

https://www.shu.ac.uk/Learn%20more/Avocados

https://www.scribd.com/doc/268147139/avocado-adaptations

http://ucavo.ucr.edu/Flowering/RemarkableFlower.html

http://bioweb.uwlax.edu/bio203/s2009/scheel_chlo/All%20about%20the%20tomato.html

https://bonnieplants.com/library/the-basics-of-tomato-flavor/

Image Sources

http://www.suttons.co.uk/Gardening/Vegetable+Seeds/Popular+Vegetable+Seeds/Tomato+Seeds/list.htm?pl=2147483647

http://www.maya-ethnobotany.org/edible-nut-fruit-seed-tree-agroforestry-mayan-tropical-mayan-agriculture-diet-food-nutrition-health/hass-avocado-guacamole-lauraceae-persea-tropical-fruit-from-guatemala-mexico.php

https://blog.paleohacks.com/bacon-chips/

https://www.oliveoilsfromspain.org/recipes/fried-green-tomatoes