Varieties

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You might be surprised to learn that there are more than 70 varieties of Avocado in Australia! Below are five of the most popular varieties available.

	HASS The Hass makes up over 75% of Avocados in Australia. Appearance. Distinctive pebbly skin and more oval shape than other varieties. Sometimes referred to as the 'black sheep of the family', the Hass turns a rich purple when ripe and ready to eat. Season. Grown almost all year round in different regions of Australia. Size. Average fruit weight is 140-340 grams, with a fairly small seed resulting in a good amount of edible flesh per fruit.
	SHEPARD Appearance. Smooth, green skin with a golden buttery flesh. This variety has the unique distinction of being the only Avocado that doesn't turn brown when cut. Season. An early season autumn favourite with peak growth from February to April. Size. Average fruit weight is 200-320 grams.
	REED Appearance. A medium skin texture with pale flesh and a distinct round shape. This variety is well known for remaining green even when fully ripened. Season. Big on size and big on taste, Reed's are grown throughout Australia and peak in November. Size. Average fruit weight is 480-700 grams, with a large seed.
	SHARWIL Appearance. Tends to be a smaller, pear-shaped Avocado, with a shorter, fatter neck than many of its cousins. Often marketed as a 'gourmet' Avocado due to its particularly rich, nutty flavour. Season. A winter-spring baring variety that comes into season from late April to August along the East Coast of Australia. Size. Average fruit weight is 200-370 grams, with a smallish seed.
	WURTZ Appearance. A smaller fruit that has a rougher skin texture than other varieties. Season. A predominantly winter variety that come into season at the end of April in the Bundaberg region of Central Queensland. They also grow further south along Queensland's coast from June to October. Size. Average fruit weight is 230-280 grams.

Quick Bites

|Filipinos puree Avocados with sugar and milk for a dessert drink. |Brazilians add Avocados to ice cream.|Other names for Avocado include agovago pears, abogado, avocatier, avocaat, avocato, avagato, albeccata and alligator pear.|Avocados were once a luxury food reserved for the tables of royalty, however these days they are enjoyed by people from all walks of life.|Latin Americans wrap Avocados up and give them as wedding gifts.|Science can neither deny nor confirm the Avocado's reputation as an aphrodisiac.|Avocados contain more than 25 essential vitamins and minerals.|Avocados have only five grams of fat per serving, most of it being monounsaturated (good) fat.|Avocados are sodium free and cholesterol free.|Avocados are a healthy food with 60% more potassium than bananas.|Avocados are a fruit, not a vegetable.|The Guinness Book of Records lists Avocados as the most nutritious fruit in the world!