Story by Stephanie Villagomez, Summer 2021
Also considered an alligator pear and scientifically named Persea americana variation drymifolia, the Mexican Criollo Avocado is significantly important in my family due to its abundant presence and use in my life and that of close loved ones. I feel connected to this plant because of its sweet and savory taste, creamy consistency, and accessibility, and because it was planted in my grandfather’s house and always provided us with shade and fruit to enjoy together.
As a child, when I visited Mexico, I remember always going up some big stairs to the rooftop to approach the avocado tree in my grandparent’s house. The steps were very high and I struggled a little bit to get to the top. Yet, once there, I felt powerful and eager to approach the avocado tree. My cousins and I were often sent to pick fruit from the tree before starting to eat and they never failed to satisfy us. We would approach the tree and carefully reach over and feel for ripe avocados. Their pit was huge and lacked meat so we would pick plenty. Their skin was smooth, thin, and rubbery. I would take one in my hand and squeeze it gently. I knew they were ready to eat, when they felt somewhat bland, yet not mushy. After picking them we would head down to my grandpa’s kitchen where my mom, aunt’s, and grandfather were serving themselves Caldo de Res. We would start to cut avocados into small squares and add them into our Caldo. We’d pass the avocados around for everyone to have some. The weather outside was warm and the avocados gave our caldo a fresh and creamy taste. I would make sure every scoop of caldo had a piece of avocado in it, to combat the heat.
Not only did the tree provide us with food, but it also provided us with shade and comfort. I remember seeing my grandfather's hammock tied to the tree and a side of the wall in which I loved to lay and swing on. When we arrived and did not see him anywhere inside the house, we’d find him on the rooftop by the tree or on the hammock, swinging with ease. It was a support for our nutritious needs, but for our personal relaxation and comfort.
There are over 50 types of avocados and interestingly enough, Mexican Avocado production is predominant in Michoacan, Mexico accounting for 92%. Michoacan is very close to Yuriria, Guanajuato, where both of my parents and grandparents are from. Their origance is known to be from south-central Mexico. Avocados are also considered “an evolutionary anachronism” because their prime dates back to the beginning of the Cenozoic Era when this fruit attracted megafauna which would eat avocados whole, travel far distances, and defecate, leaving behind a tree that many years later, continues to exist and produce fruit of its own. When I ask my mom who planted the avocado tree that lives in my grandfather’s house, she says she doesn't know but that it has been there since she can remember. I wonder if this then, is how it got to my grandfather’s backyard.
Mexican Criollo Avocados are culturally significant to my family because one of these trees resides in my grandparent’s house and they’re emotionally significant in bringing back memories of past loved ones and the sharing and enjoyment of these fruits together. Its taste and strength provided outstanding nurturance and support for my passed loved ones and I. Now, when I eat these, I remember my grandfather, his hammock, the adventure that led to scooping some in our Caldo, as well as the role evolution plays in cultivation.