Zero Waste – Avocado Pit

As you probably know, avocado is a staple in my cuisine. I love this unusual fruit for its delicious, delicate flesh which is great for both sweet and savoury dishes. Nutritious features of avocado flesh have been talked about a lot but did you know that you can also make use of the pit? 

 

A few words about nutrition value

Avocados are rich in monounsaturated fatty acids that have a positive effect on our cardiovascular system. In addition, it contains many other valuable nutrients: potassium, magnesium, B vitamins, vitamins A, C, E, and many others.

The part which is consumed in fruit is usually the flesh, and the remaining parts – skin and stone – are thrown away. It is worth realizing that the stone constitutes as much as 16% of the whole mass of avocados! That’s quite a lot of unnecessary waste. What if I told you that the stone can also be used in the kitchen?

 

Avocado seed powder

You just have to clean the pit thoroughly and leave it to dry for about 2 – 3 days. Then grate it (you can also use coffee mill or food processor). The powder is an excellent addition to salads, soups, porridge, desserts, sandwiches, or smoothies 🙂

Avocado seed powder  has a slightly bitter taste, so use it in small amounts. The reason is the tannins contained in the pit. They are chemical compounds naturally present in many plants and are responsible for the characteristic, tart aftertaste. It is worth remembering that tannins consumed in large quantities may hinder the absorption of some nutrients (e.g. iron), but moderate amounts don’t cause such problems.

Avocado pit contains far more polyphenolic compounds than the flesh. Polyphenols have scientifically proven strong anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects. Therefore, it is worth enriching your menu with these valuable compounds. In addition, you’ll find a lot of folic acid and fiber in the pit.

 

Pit infusion

You can also use avocado pit to prepare infusion. Just put a teaspoon of powder into a tea strainer, pour in hot water and leave for a few minutes. This drink is rich in antioxidant compounds that neutralize the harmful effects of free radicals. 

There is much more soluble fiber in avocado pit than in the flesh. For this reason, pit infusion has long been used to relieve digestive problems. The soluble fiber fraction has a positive effect on the regulation of intestinal peristalsis. Infusions can be a natural agent supporting the proper functioning of the digestive tract.

 

Homemade peeling

I encourage you to experiment with avocado pits not only in the kitchen. It’s a great idea to prepare a home peeling from ground seeds mixed with e.g. a bit of coconut oil, which will additionally provide your skin with moisture (more interesting facts about coconut oil can be found HERE). 

This natural cosmetic will help you effectively exfoliate keratinized skin. I recommend using it at least once a week, while cleansing your face or body in the evening. The treatment perfectly prepares the skin for the next stages of care. In addition, the polyphenols contained in the pit have anti-aging effects!

 

Avocado pit – what else is it useful for?

Do you use avocado pits? Maybe you have some tried and tested ways that you could share? 

I’m definitely going to look for new ideas because avocado will remain an important part of my diet for long. 🙂

 

Bibliography:

1. Henry LN, Upendo YM, Kimaro CC. Nutritional efficacy of avocado seeds. Global Science Research Journal. 2015; 3 (5):192-196.
2. Hau TV, Tha Thi N, Vinh-Nghi KH. Process Optimization for Extraction of Polyphenols from Avocado Seeds (Persea americana Mill.) Using Response Surface Methodology. Edelweiss: Food Science and Technology. 2019; 1(1):7.