Varieties

Avocado variety

California Hass Avocados

What makes California Hass avocados so creamy and luscious? Ideal growing conditions. Southern California Hass avocado groves are blessed with good soil, proper drainage, abundant sunshine and cool ocean breezes - everything an avocado needs to grow up creamy rich and velvety. And, since these conditions prevail year-round, there's always an abundant supply of California Hass avocados.

California Hass Avocados let you know when they're ripe

The great thing about a California Hass avocado is that its pebbly skin turns from green to nearly black when it's ripe. Look for fruit that is average to large, oval-shaped and heavy. Then slice into one of nature's perfect foods and enjoy the silky smooth texture and rich nutty flavor in all your favorite recipes.

Fresh California Avocado Varieties

Although there are close to 500 varieties of avocados, seven varieties are grown commercially in California, and the Hass variety accounts for approximately 95% of the total crop.

Organic California Avocados

Many of the varieties listed below are available as certified organic fruit.

Click on a link below to take you to the particular avocado variety you wish to review.
Bacon Avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Bacon

A mid-winter green variety

A green-skinned variety of good quality, the Bacon is a medium-sized fruit available late fall into spring.

Description:

  • Oval-shaped fruit
  • Medium to large seed
  • Easy peeling
  • Light taste

Size:

  • Medium, ranging from 6 to 12 ounces

Appearance:

  • Smooth thin green skin
  • Yellow-green flesh

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Skin remains green, darkens slightly
  • Fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe
Fuerte Avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Fuerte

An established favorite

Harvested late fall through spring, the Fuerte is the original high quality California avocado.

Description:

  • Pear-shaped
  • Medium seed
  • Peels easily
  • Great taste

Size:

  • Medium to large fruit, ranging from 5 to 14 ounces

Appearance:

  • Smooth thin green skin
  • Creamy, pale green flesh

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Skin remains green
  • Fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe
gwen avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Gwen

The Hass-like green variety

Gwen is similar in appearance, taste and texture to Hass, but slightly larger.

Description:

  • Plump oval fruit
  • Small to medium seed
  • Easy peeling
  • Great taste

Size:

  • Medium to large, ranging from 6 to 15 ounces

Appearance:

  • Pebbly, thick but pliable green skin
  • Creamy, gold-green flesh

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Green skin turns dull
  • Fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe
hass avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Hass

The year-round avocado

Distinctive for its skin that turns from green to purplish-black when ripe, the Hass is the leading variety of California avocado and has an excellent shelf life.

Description:

  • Oval-shaped fruit
  • Small to medium seed
  • Easy peeling
  • Great taste

Size:

  • Full range from average to large, 5 to 12 ounces

Appearance:

  • Pebbly, thick but pliable skin
  • Pale green flesh with creamy texture

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Skin darkens as it ripens
  • Fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe
lamb hass avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Lamb Hass

The California summer sun variety

Exceptional flavor and a large robust size are the hallmark of this new avocado variety.

Description:

  • Pebbly skin with pale green flesh
  • Smooth, creamy, nutty taste
  • Large in size
  • Symmetrical in shape; displays exceptionally well

Size:

  • Ranges in size from 11.75 oz to 18.75 oz
  • 32 = 11.75 oz to 14.00 oz
  • 28 = 13.75 oz to 15.75 oz
  • 24 = 15.75 oz to 18.75 oz

Appearance:

  • Looks and ripens like a Hass avocado
  • Oval shape
  • Medium-size seed

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Skin darkens as it ripens
  • Yields to gentle pressure when ripe

Seasonality:

  • Late June through October
pinkerton avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Pinkerton

A premium winter variety

Pinkerton avocados have small seeds, yield more fruit per tree and are available in a full range of sizes early winter through spring.

Description:

  • Long, pear-shaped fruit
  • Small seed
  • Excellent peeling characteristics
  • Great taste

Size:

  • Large fruit, ranging from 8 to 18 ounces

Appearance:

  • Medium thick green skin with slight pebbling
  • Creamy, pale green flesh

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Green skin deepens in color as it ripens
  • Fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe
reed avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Reed

The summertime variety

A large, round fruit available in the summer months and early fall.

Description:

  • Round fruit
  • Medium seed
  • Easy peeling
  • Good taste

Size:

  • Medium to large, ranging from 8 to 18 ounces

Appearance:

  • Thick green skin with slight pebbling
  • Creamy flesh

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Skin remains green
  • Fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe
zutano avocado
Jump back to the top of the page 		Zutano

A season opener

Easily recognized by its shiny, yellow-green skin, the Zutano is one of the first varieties harvested when the season begins in September and is available through early winter.

Description:

  • Pear-shaped fruit
  • Moderately easy to peel
  • Light taste

Size:

  • Average to large fruit, ranging from 6 to 14 ounces

Appearance:

  • Shiny, thin yellow-green skin
  • Pale green flesh with light texture

Ripe Characteristics:

  • Skin retains color when ripe
  • Fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe