22 MANUAL OF TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL FRUITS 



Jaffa * says : " So far as protein and ash in fresh fruits are 

 concerned, the avocado stands at the head of the list, and with 

 reference to the carbohydrates, contains on an average fully 50 

 per cent of that found in many fresh fruits. These facts alone 

 would warrant due consideration being given to the value of 

 the avocado as a fresh fruit. Its chief value as a food, however, 

 is due to its high content of fat. This varies, as shown by the 

 analysis, from a minimum of 9.8 per cent to a maximum of 

 29.1 per cent, with an average of 20.1 per cent. The only 

 fruit comparable with the avocado in this respect is the olive." 



Experiments carried on at the University of California have 

 shown that the digestibility of avocado fat is equal to that of 

 butter-fat, and not below that of beef fat. 



As to the caloric or energy-producing value of the avocado 

 in twenty-eight varieties examined, one pound of the flesh 

 represents an average of 1000 calories. The maximum and 

 minimum were 1325 and 597 respectively. The maximum 

 " corresponds to about 75 per cent of the fuel value of the cereals 

 and is not far from twice that noted for average lean meat." 



In the following table the avocado is compared, in caloric 

 value, with several common foodstuffs. For this comparison 

 a pound of avocado flesh has been considered to represent 1000 

 calories; this is not showing the avocado at its best, for, as 

 just stated, in some varieties a pound represents over 1300 

 calories : 



CALORIES 



100 grams (about 3 oz.) boiled rice 322 



100 grams white bread 246 



100 grams avocado 218 



100 grams egg 166 



100 grams lean beef , 100 



It must not be assumed from the figures that the avocado 

 has a total food value greater than that of lean beef. It is 



1 Bull. 254, Calif. Agr. Exp. Sta. 



