The rising cost of smashed avocado on toast has become a point of contention for consumers, with prices reportedly reaching as high as $30. Amidst a broader cost of living crisis, diners are questioning whether the high prices justify the use of fresh ingredients.
Clare Keenan, an Australian consumer, shared a video expressing her frustration with cafes that she believes are using pre-packaged, pureed avocado instead of fresh produce, particularly when charging premium prices. Keenan stated that she does not object to cafes using packaged ingredients due to rising food and business costs. However, she feels it is misleading to pay between $25 and $30 for smashed avocado without knowing if it is made from fresh fruit.
"I think that cafes need to start normalising telling their customers when their avocado comes out of a packet and is pureed," Keenan said in her video, which gained traction online. She added that if she knew a cafe was not using fresh avocado, she would choose a different meal. "I don't like the taste, it doesn't taste like avocado and I've just wasted my money on something that I thought was avocado when it wasn't," she explained.
Keenan recounted an experience at a cafe in Newcastle where she was served a "brown-green paste" after waiting 20 minutes and paying nearly $30. She described the taste as acidic and noted that even her husband, who she described as willing to eat anything, could not finish it.
Hundreds of commenters on Keenan's video expressed similar sentiments, calling for greater transparency from cafes regarding avocado freshness. Many shared anecdotes of their own disappointing experiences. One commenter suggested that asking for avocado to be served sliced rather than mashed could be a way to ensure freshness.
Some individuals with experience in the food industry commented that some kitchens opt for packet avocado when fresh avocados are out of season, rather than removing the dish from the menu, leading to a different taste and customer disappointment. Other dining pet peeves, such as the use of powdered eggs or pre-made hollandaise sauce, were also shared by users.