Avocado - Tropical and Subtropical Fruits: Postharvest Physiology, Processing and Packaging - page 422

Table 23.2. Attributes of California avocado varieties. 1 For color detail, please see color plate section.
Bacon: A medium size mid-winter green variety. Oval-shaped fruit, medium to large seed, easy
peeling, light taste, 6-12 oz. Smooth thin green skin, yellow-green flesh. Skin remains green but
darkens slightly when ripe.
Fuerte: Medium to large fruit, an established favorite. Harvested late fall through spring, the Fuerte
is the original high quality California Avocado. Pear-shaped, 5-14 oz, medium seed, peels easily,
great taste. Smooth thin green skin, creamy, pale green flesh. Skin remains green when ripe.
Gwen: The Hass-like green variety. Gwen is similar in appearance, taste and texture to Hass, but
slightly larger. Plump oval fruit, 6-15 oz, small to medium seed, easy peeling, great taste. Pebbly,
thick but pliable green skin, creamy, gold-green flesh. Green skin turns dull when ripe.
Hass: Year-round variety. 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. Oval-shaped
fruit, 5-12 oz, small to medium seed, easy peeling, great taste. Pebbly, thick but pliable skin, pale
green flesh with creamy texture. Skin darkens as it ripens.
Lamb Hass: The California summer sun variety. Exceptional flavor and a large robust size are the
hallmark of this new avocado variety. Pebbly skin with pale green flesh, smooth, creamy, nutty
taste, large in size, 11.75-18.75 oz, symmetrical in shape. Looks and ripens like a Hass avocado.
Oval shape, medium-size seed. Skin darkens as it ripens.
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. Long, pear-shaped fruit,
8-18 oz, small seed, excellent peeling characteristics, Great taste, medium thick green skin with
slight pebbling, creamy, pale green flesh. Green skin deepens in color as it ripens.
Reed: The summertime variety, a large, round fruit available in the summer months and early fall.
Round fruit, Medium to large, 8-18 oz, medium seed, easy peeling, good taste, thick green skin
with slight pebbling, creamy flesh. Skin remains green when ripe.
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. Pear-shaped fruit, 6-14 oz, moderately easy to peel, light taste. Shiny, thin yellow-green
skin, pale green flesh with light texture. Skin retains color when ripe.
1 For all varieties, fruit yields to gentle pressure when ripe.
Source: Adapted from CAC (2010).