Beneath the noise of vendors and the aroma of herbs in Jerusalem’s Mahane Yehuda market, it is avocado season. Green piles sit on the wooden stalls, lined like soldiers waiting for lemon and salt. Picked at dawn, shipped from orchards stretching from the Galilee to the Gaza border, and delivered through the wholesale market in Givat Shaul, the fruit waits for thousands of Jerusalem shoppers who know exactly how to choose the perfect one – a gentle press, a quick check, and into tomorrow’s sandwich.
For Israelis, the avocado has become a local institution: soft, rich, familiar, and part of every home from Giv’at Ze’ev to Pisgat Ze’ev.
Jerusalem-Style Avocado Recipe
Farmers cultivate over 125,000 dunams of avocado orchards across Israel, and thanks to local supply, the price ranges between 10 and 13 shekels per kilo. Popular Israeli varieties include Hass, Ettinger, and Arad – known for their quality and ability to grow in different climates.
Though the avocado originated in Central America, Israel is now considered one of the world’s leading producers, with European demand constantly growing. Still, opening an avocado at home can be a gamble. Early picking, transport problems, or shifting temperatures may leave marks or soft spots.
But when treated right, the fruit becomes the simplest and most irresistible dish: diced with lemon, salt, olive oil, and a small clove of garlic. The flavor speaks for itself – one bite leads to another, and shoppers return to the stands of Mahane Yehuda for more.
For an authentic twist, try the Jerusalem “Strengthened” Avocado: mashed ripe avocado with Jerusalem olive oil, lemon, a spoon of tahini, flame-charred tomato cubes, and a pinch of cumin, spread on thick bread or warm pita. It tastes like the market, like home, like life.
Avocado – An Ancient Secret for Men
The avocado is soft inside, a little unpredictable, and very Israeli. As long as shoppers keep choosing it, smelling the skin and supporting the farmers who carry the industry on their backs, the green king will stay on Jerusalem plates.
It is healthy, packed with fiber, antioxidants, and good fats. And according to ancient Aztec belief, the avocado was linked to male fertility. Maybe that explains why more Jerusalem men lean over the market stalls than women.
