The avocado is an ancient plant that originated in Central America and Mexico, where it is known as aguacate. It is a fruit with a smooth texture and delicate flavor. Spanish conquistadors brought it to Europe, where it gained a reputation as a stimulant and aphrodisiac. Today, the avocado is a highly valued crop worldwide due to its remarkable nutritional properties, notably its high concentration of proteins and unsaturated oils, as well as its absence of cholesterol.