Alligator pears

An alternative term for avocados — an old common name earned by their rough, dark, pebbled skin, reminiscent of alligator hide. It survives in vintage cookbooks and Southern American usage from an era before ‘avocado’ conquered the English-speaking world. Whatever the name, the fruit is the same: buttery flesh rich in monounsaturated fats, a global staple, and a climacteric fruit whose ripening behaviour keeps postharvest scientists busy. Alligator pear is a linguistic fossil from the avocado’s journey into mainstream diets. The older name still charms market stalls and heirloom recipe collections today.