【1974 Archives】

Earlier this year974 Archives doctors raised a scary warning for brunch-loving millennials: mishandling avocado can injure your hand. Seriously.

An improper use of the knife while trying to remove the fruit's inner stone can cause life-changing tendon and nerve injuries, the British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) said. Its secretary, Simon Eccles, said that he treats about four patients a week with the so-called 'avocado hand' at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. There's even a "post-brunch surge" of patients on Saturdays.

This week, Marks & Spencer (M&S) said it will start to sell a stoneless avocado -- the so-called 'cocktail avocado' -- whose smooth skin is edible, and the whole fruit can be eaten as a whole.

The 'cocktail avocado' is a small avocado which is 5-8cm long and grows in Spain and is only available during December. It is usually sent to Parisian food market where top chefs buy and use them in top end restaurants, but M&S have managed to source a small number of them.

Its form is the result of unpollinated blossom and develops without a seed.

While M&S says the 'avocado hand' is not the reason behind the launch of 'cocktail avocado', concerned millennials might benefit from its stoneless feature.

Charlotte Curtis, M&S agronomist, says: “We’ve had the mini, the giant, ready-sliced and we’re now launching the holy grail of avocados – stoneless! This amazing fruit has been on our radar for a couple of years and we’re very excited to have finally been able to get hold of some for our customers to try. We know they will be in demand and we’ve only been able to get our hands on a limited amount so make sure you get them while you can!”

“They’re perfect for snacking and lunchboxes as they can be eaten whole but can also be used for a beautiful garnish or in a salad. My top tip is to try them deep fried!”

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