The avocado is sometimes called the ‘alligator pear’ due to the rough texture of its peel. Avocados are the fruit of the avocado tree, which can grow up to 20 metres in height and produce around 150-500 fruits per year. There are various types, of which the Hass avocado (with black peel) is the most well-known. The avocado originated in the tropical rainforests of Mexico. They are often referred to as ‘the butter of the jungle’, and with good reason: European sailors in earlier times used avocados as butter.