NationStates Jolt Archive


What does the UK have against avocados?

Ryadn
09-07-2008, 08:10
I often watch "You Are What You Eat" on BBC America, and the other day I realized a peculiarity which seems to pop up in many of the episodes... mainly, a general disgust for avocados on the part of the show's participants. I had noted this before in passing, but it really hit me that almost every time someone on the show is made to eat avocado in any form they protest fiercely and/or look ready to hurl soon after. Being from California, a land abundant with avocados, I find this rather strange.

So, Generalites, tell me--how do you feel about avocados?
Have you ever eaten one? If not, would you?
If you have and don't like them, what is it about them you object to?
Where are you from?
And is this, as I suspect, a vast British conspiracy to undermine the powerful guacamole cartel of the Pacific United States?
Dempublicents1
09-07-2008, 08:25
I think avocados are yummy. They're good in salads, on sandwiches, in guacamole, in sushi, and alone with a bit of salt. They're probably good in other dishes as well, but those are what I thought of.
Bullitt Point
09-07-2008, 08:28
I don't exactly like the taste of avacados, but considering that there is a large, mature avacado tree in my backyard that is ripe for the picking maybe once or twice a year, along with how low I can price avacados on a street corner and make a profit, I love 'em.
Beth Gellert
09-07-2008, 09:10
I almost never encountered avocado until I left the UK for Australia. Now I certainly can't eat a BLT without, well, making it a BLAT, I'll say that much. I think there is some weird conspiracy, yes. Avocados are ridiculously good for you, and you can just stick 'em in anything. Or spread them on anything, for that matter.

I think there is a law of nature or civility that says a country can't have avocados and decent fish 'n' chips at once, and the UK was the only place to choose the latter.

Edit: I'm not advocating the combination of fish 'n' chips with avocado, though now that I've brought it up... hmm.
Sirmomo1
09-07-2008, 09:19
I think avocados are yummy.

So you could say you're an advocado

Yeah, I'm tired. You come up with something better.
New Ziedrich
09-07-2008, 09:29
I like guacomole.
Brutland and Norden
09-07-2008, 09:49
Avocadoes are one of the fatty fruits. So if I have a rather small ration of fat, I'd get it from chocolates instead, not avocados. Chocolates are more delicious.
Rambhutan
09-07-2008, 10:05
When I first had them as a child the texture reminded me of toothpaste. I do eat them every now and then, but the trouble in the UK is the ones in the supermarket tend to be bruised and unripe. They also tend to be the Hass variety whereas I prefer Fuente.
Cabra West
09-07-2008, 10:12
I guess they're just like Marmite... you love 'em or you hate 'em.

Bear in mind, "You are what you eat" is about people who in some cases have never, ever eaten fresh fruit or veg in their lives before (I remember one women spitting out a plum in disgust saying she's never even tried one before), so their reactions to a comparatively unknown fruit aren't exactly surprising.
Philosopy
09-07-2008, 10:23
The British fought a brutal war against the avocados back in the 16th Century. Entire generations of families were simply wiped out, as the avocados systematically razed villages to the ground with the people still in their homes.

It takes a long time to forget something like that.
Cannot think of a name
09-07-2008, 10:52
This is the only non-Californian thing about me, I really don't go for avocados. The texture is really really strange. I don't freak out over them, but I hardly include them in anything I eat.
Tsrill
09-07-2008, 11:15
Avocados are not so bad, but somewhat outside my scope. When I see them or hear about them, it's like "Ah, yes, those things exist, too".
Adunabar
09-07-2008, 11:24
Avocadoes are one of the fatty fruits. So if I have a rather small ration of fat, I'd get it from chocolates instead, not avocados. Chocolates are more delicious.

Avocados contain essential fatty acids which lower cholesterol and are really good for you.
Banuta
09-07-2008, 11:36
I have an even more important question...why in the hell do u watch bbc america! its just the news for stupid people, Its deamening (and im on my fone so excuse the spelling)
The_pantless_hero
09-07-2008, 13:02
Avocados alone do not taste great.
[NS]4-4
09-07-2008, 13:03
I hate avocados so much!

I try one about once a year, and just hate the taste every time.
Although, when I was little, I used to like them, but that may have just been because I was in awe over the giant seed :P
Hotwife
09-07-2008, 13:04
Maybe they remind them of large testicles.

My wife likes to call me "Johnny Avocado"
Rambhutan
09-07-2008, 13:05
Maybe they remind them of large testicles.

My wife likes to call me "Johnny Avocado"

Not "Johnny Avocados"?
Hotwife
09-07-2008, 13:08
Not "Johnny Avocados"?

I have two, she just thinks the singular form sounds better.
Brutland and Norden
09-07-2008, 13:19
I have two, she just thinks the singular form sounds better.
You use fruits as terms of endearment? And what do you call your wife, "melons"? :D
Khadgar
09-07-2008, 13:59
You use fruits as terms of endearment? And what do you call your wife, "melons"? :D

Honeydew.


I guess they're just like Marmite... you love 'em or you hate 'em.

Bear in mind, "You are what you eat" is about people who in some cases have never, ever eaten fresh fruit or veg in their lives before (I remember one women spitting out a plum in disgust saying she's never even tried one before), so their reactions to a comparatively unknown fruit aren't exactly surprising.

Is that really that odd though? I had never had a Mango until I was 27. I've never eaten quite a few rather common things. Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Honey Dew, just not things I've ever been curious about eating. Never had avocado either. Not exactly a local fruit though.
Cabra West
09-07-2008, 14:18
Is that really that odd though? I had never had a Mango until I was 27. I've never eaten quite a few rather common things. Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Honey Dew, just not things I've ever been curious about eating. Never had avocado either. Not exactly a local fruit though.

It is, to me at least. Plums aren't exactly exotic when you think about it. Personally, I do remember a time when mangoes weren't just sold a Tescos, you'd have to make an effort to find some somewhere. But plums? Common as muck.
The idea that someone in England has no idea what they even taste like is very strange to me.
Santiago I
09-07-2008, 14:24
I love aguacates.... specially aguacate soup...

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/SOPA-DE-AGUACATE-14320
Cameroi
09-07-2008, 14:30
just as a guess, probably that it doesn't have any really particularly good place to grow them.

which isn't neccessarily any great loss, as i for one, wouldn't particularly want to live in the kind of climate it takes to do so, however much media weather readers seem to imply, almost universally, that they themselves might prefer to.

=^^=
.../\...
Aelosia
09-07-2008, 14:36
Quite a few rather common things. Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Honey Dew, just not things I've ever been curious about eating.

Those things are expensive and exotic for me.

¿Aguacates? I love 'em, can't live without 'em, and uses them a lot in my personal cooking recipes.

Aguacate is our term for avocados, by the way.

Here, you usually get both "avocados" and mangos from the trees out of the street.

Eating them with just a tiny drop of olive oil over them and some grains of salt, or eating a large portion with some ham over it, or mixing it with chicken, or with threads of meat, or with fish tears as "guacamole". (The local term for guacamole is guasacaca, although the preparation of guasacaca differ a little, regarding spices and condiments).

In my house, we easily consume three full avocados a week, if not more.

A personal favourite after a party night is a "Reina Pepiada", it's an arepa, (round corn bread), filled with a mixture of guasacaca and diminished grilled chicken. They do not look good, but they taste marvelous. It's actually my "gastronomical" advise when some foreigner comes here.

Here's a picture:

http://www.caracasarepabar.com/images/menu_gal_arepas_reina.jpg
Katganistan
09-07-2008, 14:39
I often watch "You Are What You Eat" on BBC America, and the other day I realized a peculiarity which seems to pop up in many of the episodes... mainly, a general disgust for avocados on the part of the show's participants. I had noted this before in passing, but it really hit me that almost every time someone on the show is made to eat avocado in any form they protest fiercely and/or look ready to hurl soon after. Being from California, a land abundant with avocados, I find this rather strange.

So, Generalites, tell me--how do you feel about avocados?
Have you ever eaten one? If not, would you?
If you have and don't like them, what is it about them you object to?
Where are you from?
And is this, as I suspect, a vast British conspiracy to undermine the powerful guacamole cartel of the Pacific United States?

I like em, whether mashed for guacamole or chunked in salad.
They DO have a funny, slippery/mushy consistency when ripe -- and are still green -- maybe that's part of their disgust?

Oh well, more for me!
New Wallonochia
09-07-2008, 15:15
They DO have a funny, slippery/mushy consistency when ripe -- and are still green -- maybe that's part of their disgust?

I just don't like the taste. Consistency and texture of food don't bother me in the slightest.
Intestinal fluids
09-07-2008, 15:27
The reason The British dont like Avocados is because they are Racists.


http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/politics/education/2261307/Toddlers-who-dislike-spicy-food-racist,-say-report.html

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=560250
ColaDrinkers
09-07-2008, 15:42
I love good avocados, but unfortunately it's very difficult to find them where I live. They're either unripe, small and funny tasting, very stringy or brown inside. Or a combination of several of these. Once in a while you find a good one, but it doesn't happen often.

A personal favourite after a party night is a "Reina Pepiada", it's an arepa, (round corn bread), filled with a mixture of guasacaca and diminished grilled chicken. They do not look good, but they taste marvelous. It's actually my "gastronomical" advise when some foreigner comes here.

Here's a picture:

http://www.caracasarepabar.com/images/menu_gal_arepas_reina.jpg

Are you kidding? That thing looks awesome. Avocado and grilled chicken is such a good combination. Damn I'm hungry...
The_pantless_hero
09-07-2008, 15:51
It is, to me at least. Plums aren't exactly exotic when you think about it. Personally, I do remember a time when mangoes weren't just sold a Tescos, you'd have to make an effort to find some somewhere. But plums? Common as muck.
The idea that someone in England has no idea what they even taste like is very strange to me.
And plums have natural sweetness. Unlike mushy avocados. It's like banana flavored cardboard kind of.
Yootopia
09-07-2008, 17:38
They don't taste nice, the texture is all wrong, and if you want something to go on your chicken, then add some coronation sauce, and stick a few leaves in to compensate. Happy days.
Ryadn
09-07-2008, 22:20
I guess they're just like Marmite... you love 'em or you hate 'em.

Bear in mind, "You are what you eat" is about people who in some cases have never, ever eaten fresh fruit or veg in their lives before (I remember one women spitting out a plum in disgust saying she's never even tried one before), so their reactions to a comparatively unknown fruit aren't exactly surprising.

Good point. I was shocked that the woman was grossed out over a plum, but I assumed she was an exception and plums weren't exotic to most of the UK. It's the repeated aversion to avocados that got to me. People even panic ahead of time, "Oh no, I've seen this show, you're going to make me eat an avocado!"

This is the only non-Californian thing about me, I really don't go for avocados. The texture is really really strange. I don't freak out over them, but I hardly include them in anything I eat.

Traitor. Out of my state. :p

I have an even more important question...why in the hell do u watch bbc america! its just the news for stupid people, Its deamening (and im on my fone so excuse the spelling)

One could make the same argument for NSG some days. :p

Is that really that odd though? I had never had a Mango until I was 27. I've never eaten quite a few rather common things. Brussels Sprouts, Asparagus, Honey Dew, just not things I've ever been curious about eating. Never had avocado either. Not exactly a local fruit though.

Brussel sprouts--disgusting.
Asparagus--tasty.
Honey dew--okay. It's always the melon that fills up the fruit salad because it's cheap and doesn't taste like much.

A personal favourite after a party night is a "Reina Pepiada", it's an arepa, (round corn bread), filled with a mixture of guasacaca and diminished grilled chicken. They do not look good, but they taste marvelous. It's actually my "gastronomical" advise when some foreigner comes here.

That sounds awesome.

The reason The British dont like Avocados is because they are Racists.

Raising ever more generations of racist babies.
Setulan
10-07-2008, 00:03
I love avocados :D
guacamole, straight avocado, avocado with salt on it, delicous avocado on a sandwhich....
its its green and avocodoish, I like it :p
Anti-Social Darwinism
10-07-2008, 00:05
I love avocados - plain, as guacamole, in salads - in every way they can be ingested.

I think the problem in the UK is that they get unripe avodados and, instead of putting them in a paper bag for a day or two, eat them immediately, so they're getting pear-sheeped green rocks instead of ambrosia.
Cabra West
10-07-2008, 09:28
Good point. I was shocked that the woman was grossed out over a plum, but I assumed she was an exception and plums weren't exotic to most of the UK. It's the repeated aversion to avocados that got to me. People even panic ahead of time, "Oh no, I've seen this show, you're going to make me eat an avocado!"


True. But then again, avocadoes are a recurring thing about those diets.
I think if Gillian kept recommending people eat, say, nori or lychees or aubergines, you would probably see people repeatedly freaking out over those, too.
Purgador
10-07-2008, 09:44
Sorry but I dont know what they are... If their those hairy things, hellz no..
:gundge:
Rambhutan
10-07-2008, 10:16
I did once see a comedian do a bit about avocados - said they were too much like vegetables. When you are a kid and given a bit of fruit to eat you expect it to be really sweet and juicy - you bite into a piece of avocado and it just disappoints as a fruit.