Hebrew: אָבוֹקָדוֹ, avocado
Scientific Name: Persea Americana
Family: Lauraceae
The avocado is a large, evergreen tropical tree; its leaves do not fall in winter. The avocado tree blooms in the spring with numerous clusters. Pollination is performed mainly by bees. The fruit grows primarily in the summer and ripens depending on the varieties, from autumn to spring. The fruit can be stored for several months under suitable conditions. Nowadays, various varieties are harvested all year round, allowing for almost year-round fruit sales. Inside the fruit is a large seed that can be easily grown as an ornamental plant at home – by planting it in a pot or placing it in a jar of water.
Avocado varieties grown in Israel include Ettinger, Fuerte, Hass, Nabal, and Reed.
The fruit is ready for harvesting when the oil content reaches at least 9%. The oil content increases as long as the fruit is not harvested. The fruit is ready to eat only after it softens. It can be picked before full ripeness, stored under suitable conditions, and before marketing, it is kept at room temperature in a closed carton or paper bag with another ripe fruit that releases ethylene gas, which accelerates ripening. Avocado is notable for its significant oil content (10%-18%), is considered a nutritious and easy-to-digest fruit, and can be used to prepare a variety of dishes.
Originating from the Americas, the first avocado trees arrived in Israel about 100 years ago. These giant trees still exist and bear fruit at the Mikveh Israel agricultural school. Following the establishment of the State of Israel, avocado trees were planted extensively in the country. Most of the fruit grown in Israel is exported and is considered one of its leading agricultural export fruits.
Kilei ilan (grafting mixed species): Avocado can only be grafted onto other avocado species, so there is currently no prohibition of forbidden grafting for avocado trees.
Orlah & neta revay (waiting three years for fruit & fourth-year trees): Since it is a tree, one must wait three orlah years before using, eating, or benefiting from its fruit. On the fourth year, a special blessing is recited to transfer the sanctity of the fourth-year fruit to a coin.
Shehecheyanu (blessing for new fruit): Since various cultivars are sold fresh or after storage in refrigeration, avocados are available in the marketplace almost all year round. Therefore, the shehecheyanu blessing should not be recited unless it is clearly known that the fruit is new this year.
להצלחת גו’לי ומרטין מנדלסון וילדיהם חנה, נח, רפאל, יהודה ובינימין
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