“California Avocados: A Delicious History” (History Press, 2024)

My new book, California Avocados: A Delicious History, is the first and only book on the fascinating 175-year history of the avocado in California. When avocados first arrived from Mexico in the early 1800s, few Americans knew what to make of them. Intrepid settlers in California were among the first to embrace the savory green fruit, sparking a century-long love affair that transformed the state into “Avocado Land.” From battling over the best avocado varieties to coaxing the public into trying the fruit by devising delicious recipes, Golden State growers created a global phenomenon. My book explores how California’s favorite fruit became one of the most famous and iconic foods of the twenty-first century. As part of my exhaustive research on the subject, I interviewed more than 30 growers, distributors, aficionados, and academics throughout California. The book features 45 color photos and another 100 + black and white, as well as recipes, trivia, and helpful appendices. It is both comprehensive and enjoyable to read. 

If you’d like to receive a copy for possible review, please contact Phil Olsen at [email protected]; 970-218-9310; or Jenni Tyler at [email protected], or you can reach out directly to me at [email protected]; 951-551-5338. The book is currently available for pre-order at Amazon at https://a.co/d/dhvHtQx and through Arcadia Publishing. 

I am also the author of “Temecula Valley Wineries” (Arcadia Publishing 2023), among other works.