Avocados get a lot of love for being delicious, but they've taken a beating in the popularity stakes because of their apparent ties to the Australian housing market. This infographic breaks down everything you need to know about the humble avocado from its origins to its impressive health benefits and its various uses.

Some foods are easy to pick up and munch on, while others would benefit from simple, easy-to-understand how-to guides. These are those guides.

Some folks might tell you to split your avocado in half, then scoop the meat out of the skin before you slice it. If you want thin, neat, picturesque slices, however, you should do the cutting before you peel.

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You thought you bought a ripe avocado, but when you slice it open, it's still too hard to be used for guacamole or a BLAT sandwich. Instead of wasting it, grab your grater and make a tasty, great-looking garnish.

If you're mixing up a fruit salad or making a big bowl of guacamole, this trick will help speed up the process.

Banana bread can be a sweet treat, but it's not really that healthy for you. Improve your banana bread's texture and nutritional value by mixing in an avocado.