Though the avocado is a relatively recent development throughout much of the modern world, people have been enjoying this peculiar green fruit for thousands of years. It was first discovered in Mexico at some point around 291 BC, after which it became a common food for the native peoples. The Aztecs were even known to use it as an aphrodisiac.
When the Spanish arrived in the Americas, they initially dismissed avocado as a tasteless food. It therefore went unnoticed for a long while, and wasn’t cultivated in the United States until 1833. Even then, it was only found in small groves in Florida.
Later on, in the early 1900’s, the fruit would finally be made available on the US market. For a while it would only be enjoyed by residents of the states that boasted avocado groves, these being Florida, Hawaii, and California. In the 1950’s, it was popularized for use in salads and became known by diners throughout the country.
At this point, conditions were right for sushi chefs to use the avocado in the first California roll. You can enjoy it today at our Bellevue Japanese restaurant in our veggie Philly roll, our jalapeno hamachi roll, our shrimp tempura roll, and a whole lot more.