In this episode, we peel back the layers of America’s avocado obsession. While avocado toast may feel harmless, most of the fruit we consume comes from Mexico — where production is entangled with cartel involvement and violence.

We dig into the environmental consequences of this booming demand, focusing on land use, deforestation, and strained ecosystems. But it’s not all doom and gloom — avocados are a nutritious powerhouse, so how can we enjoy them responsibly?

Should we be choosing California-grown instead? Is there such a thing as an ethical avocado? Let’s explore what informed consumer choices look like, because once again, awareness is everything.