Originally from Mexico, the avocado's wild relatives date back over 9000 years. The Aztecs dubbed the fruit 'ahuacatl' and ate it mashed on corn tortillas. By 1527 the Spanish had carried the fruit to Spain and from there it made its way to other parts of the world.

Henry Perrine is said to have planted the first domesticated avocado in Florida in 1833. Today the state boasts it grows over 56 varieties of the tree, a relative of the laurel, cinnamon, bay and sassafras. Though growing only about seven varieties, California produces about 95 percent of all avocados grown in the U.S. Spain, Mexico and Israel are also major avocado producers.