The fruit of the avocado tree, from the Lauraceae (laurel) family, the avocado is an ovoid fruit containing a pit, having either a smooth or rough surface.

The avocado is part of the diet of the peoples of Central and South America. It is used as a vegetable, but even more as a vegetable butter. In the 18th century the English called it "sailor's butter," and no opportunity was missed to stock up on avocados at every tropical port of call. Aztec women rubbed avocado oil on their bodies to hydrate their skin, dried by the hot winds.