Avocados varieties are not a well discussed topic even though we all see clear visible differences in the avocados we see in the market.

The avocado is one of the most famous fruits in the world and is very rich in vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants which are essential for good health.

Evidence of the first cultivation dates back 3000 years ago by old civilizations including the Incas and Aztec. (1)

It was praised for all the health benefits as well as boosting energy, smoothens digestion, and helping with better fertility.

It contains very important nutrients and the list of the health benefits of this fruit is unbelievable as it promotes the growth of cells, healthier joints, teeth, hair, skin, nails, and muscle growth.

Also, avocado offers a high level of antioxidants which help to prevent many health issues.

There are several hundred varieties of avocado, but they all come from three strains: Guatemalan, Mexican, and the Caribbean.

How many avocados varieties are there?

In order to classify avocado varieties, we come back to their origins and distinguish three major avocado races.

These 3 races are chosen according to botany science, therefore we may consider them as the first parents of all varieties.

However, this classification only applies to the cultivated varieties and doesn’t consider wild avocados.

In fact, an avocado tree is a hermaphrodite (with two reproductive organs) which allows genetic mixing between the races.

Thus, we have more than 500 avocado varieties that are basically a cross between two races. (2)

Even though this may seem optional, but only 1 flower out of 5000 flowers gives a fruit.

Because of that, farmers are obliged to plant more than one avocado variety to promote their survival, which resulted in different hybrids.

Finally, the most famous strains across the 3 major avocado races are : (3)

• Hass avocados of Guatemalan origin.
• Fuerte avocados, a hybrid of the Guatemalan and Mexican races.

Avocados varieties:

Nowadays, we have 500 avocado tree varieties, among which 220 are originated from a crossing between 3 different races.

In the next part, we are going to base our research on the most famous avocado varieties in each race.

Different races of avocados varieties:

Mexican avocado varieties:

Mexican avocados include 40 different avocado varieties and makeup to 29% of all of the avocados in the market. (4)

Among the 40 known Mexican avocados here are the 5 most famous ones:

Reed avocado:

This variety comes from Florida and it bears 2 pounds (450 to 900g) elongated fruits. (5)

The skin of a Gottfried avocado is shiny, smooth with a dark green color that turns purplish when the fruit is mature.

Also, the edible flesh of this avocado variety is smooth with a light green color and some fibers.

As for the oil content, reed avocado contains between 9 to 15%.

Topa Topa avocado:

This next Mexican avocado weighs between 7 to 10 ounces (200 to 300g) and has an elongated pear shape.

The seed of a Topa Topa avocado is relatively large and the flesh is not of good quality.

You may wonder why Topa Topa avocados are famous if their quality is not good, well they are a great pollinator of the “Fuerte” variety. (6)

In addition, Topa Topa avocado is used to extract oil as it contains 15% of pure avocado oil.

Duke avocado:

A duke avocado weighs about 10 ounces (300g) and also has a pear shape and smooth green skin.

The taste and quality of this avocado variety are very excellent and it offers 22% of oil content.

Also, duke avocados are full of nutrients and are resistant to cold and winter.

In fact, California selected duke avocado for its rootstock as it is very resistant to Phytophthora cinnamomi (root rotting mold). (7)

Mexicola avocado:

A Hass avocado type is usually distinguished with its thin skin and dark color.

Compared to other types of avocados, Mexicola is smaller in size and has a pear shape.

It has 20% oil which is why it’s mostly used to produce avocado oil.

The thing that sets this type apart from the rest of avocados is that it has edible skin.

After washing it you can just bite into a Mexicola avocado as if it was an apple, crazy right!?

Another odd fact about this type, its leaves are also edible in fact some Mexican dishes use them to add flavor. (8)

Mexicola avocado has a buttery taste that resembles a nutty flavor.

Zutano avocado:

This type combines the pear shape of a Mexicola avocado and the light green skin of a tropical avocado.

Zutano avocado keeps its hard green flesh even when it fully ripens.

Unlike the Mexicola, this one has more water than oil which makes it juicier. (9)

On the other hand, the oil content of a zutano avocado is not that little as it offers 15 to 18% of oil.

It is fair to mention that peeling Zutano avocado skin could be very hard work.

You can’t find Zutano avocado in grocery stores as farmers don’t produce it for markets.

In fact, farmers plant it next to other avocado tree types to promote their growth.

This technique resulted in having larger fruits so Zutano is used more as a pollinator just like topa topa avocados. (10)

West Indies avocados varieties:

West Indies is a group of islands that combines many countries including Jamaica, Cuba, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Guyana, Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Trinidad and Tobago, US Virgin Island, Sint Maarten… (11)

This group of avocados flourishes in tropical regions and count for 15% of the global market and include more than 30 different varieties.

The most famous West Indies avocado varieties are:

Pollock avocados:

This West Indies avocado offers big fruits that weigh from 15 to 35 ounces (400 to 1000g).

A pollock avocado variety has an oblong shape that resembles that of an elongated egg.

When these fruits mature, they have a thin light green skin and a golden flesh inside that tastes so delicious.

Nonetheless, this variety is fragile and presents difficulties with refrigeration and shipping. (12)

Therefore, Pollock avocados are only perfect for local markets in Florida and humid tropical zones across the world.

Waldin avocados:

This second West Indies avocado is a little smaller than a Pollock and weighs around 15 to 25oz (400 to 800g).

The shape of the Waldin avocado variety is also oblong with smooth and a bit pale green skin.

The flesh inside a Waldin avocado is yellow and it offers an average quality.

As for the oil content, it contains 5 to 8% of avocado oil therefore it is not used for oil production.

This avocado variety is very resistant to root rots and can be found in Florida during Autumn. (13)

Peterson avocados:

This West Indies avocado variety is very popular in humid tropical zones and produces normal-sized fruits. (14)

In fact, a Peterson avocado weighs 7 to 15ounces (200 to 400g) and has a spherical oval shape.

The skin of this avocado variety is fine, brilliant, and smooth with a green color that lightens during maturity.

In addition, the inside flash of a Peterson avocado is yellow and has a good taste.

However, it is not good for exporting as the fruits are very fragile and sensitive to sunburn and low storage temperature.

A Peterson avocado offers between 4 to 7% of oil.

Guatemalan avocados varieties:

With more than 50 different avocados, Guatemalan avocados have the largest number of varieties.

Among the famous Guatemalan varieties we mention:

Negra de La Cruz avocados:

This Guatemalan avocado grows in Chile as it is very resistant to cold. (15)

The tree of a Negra de La Cruz avocado is not vigorous but it produces a good number of fruits.

In addition, this avocado is of average weight (8oz, 250g) and has an oval shape with thick dark green skin.

The flesh of this avocado variety is of good flavor and quality and offers 20 to 23% of oil.

Edranol avocado:

This Guatemalan avocado variety is very famous in Australia and New Zealand. (16)

The tree of Edranol avocados is strong and very resistant to cold.

In addition, this avocado is of pear shape with a rough olive green skin and weighs (10oz, 300g).

As for the insides, Edranol has a very small seed and delicious yellow-green flesh that dissolves in the mouth.

The oil content of this avocado variety is about 20%.

Hass avocado:

As one of the most famous avocado types, Hass avocados grow in California, Israel, Spain, and Mexico. (17)

The reason for its popularity is thanks to its temperature tolerance and high productivity.

Also, the simplicity of its cultivation and its good characteristics makes it the King of the market.

This fruit is pear-shaped with a green warty skin that turns brown at maturity.

The inside of this avocado has a very small seed and excellent quality flesh with no fibers.

The oil content of a Hass avocado is about 10%. (18)

Linda avocado:

This next Guatemalan avocado first grown in Hawaii and it produces large elliptical fruits. (19)

In fact, an average Linda avocado weighs up to 30 ounces (1 Kg) and it has dark red skin at maturity.

The inside flesh of this avocado variety is yellow with perfect flavor.

However, it is not a very famous avocado in the market because of its unusual color and large shape.

A Linda avocado contains about 15% oil.

Taylor avocado:

This Guatemalan avocado has a medium weight of 15 ounces (425g). (20)

A Taylor avocado has an oval pear shape, a thick rough skin, and a pale yellow flesh of good quality.

Also, it is among the avocado varieties that produce a large number of fruits which makes it commercially profitable.

The oil content of a Taylor avocado is 17%.

Tonnage avocado:

Grown using a seedling of a “Taylor” avocado, Tonnage avocados also have a pear shape.

Nonetheless, the peduncle on top that holds the fruit to the tree is oblique.

A tonnage avocado usually weighs 15 ounces (425g) and has a small seed and thick dark green skin.

The edible insides of a tonnage avocado are pale yellow and it tastes like a classic avocado with a refreshing touch.

The oil content of a tonnage avocado is 10%. (21)

Other honorable mentions:

• Nabal avocado.
• Sharwil avocado.
• Anaheim avocado.
• Gwen avocado.

Hybrid avocados varieties:

Guatemalan + Mexican avocados hybrids:

There are more than 20 hybrids that originated by crossing Guatemalan and Mexican avocado races and the famous ones are:

Bacon avocados:

Farmers created this hybrid to produce avocados that can flourish even in colder regions.  (22)

Bacon avocados are good at resisting cold and they have a distinguishing shape almost like a dragon’s egg!

Also, despite the name bacon avocado are among the avocados that have the lowest fat content.

The weight of a bacon avocado is around 10oz (300g) and it has good quality flesh and 18% of oil.

Fuerte avocados:

With all the avocado varieties mentioned in this article, it could get overwhelming…

However, the Fuerte avocado is the most popular avocado worldwide alongside Hass avocado. (23)

A Fuerte avocado has a green color and a classical pear shape and weighs 10 to 12 ounces (300 to 360g).

What people like about Fuerte avocado are its easily peeled skin and its yummy yellow flesh.

The oil content of a Fuerte avocado is 25%.

Ettinger avocados:

This next hybrid comes from Israel, however, farmers started growing it in other parts such as Spain, Brazil, Florida, and California. (24)

In terms of the physical properties, and Ettinger avocado has a pear shape and an average weight of 10 ounces (300g).

In addition, the skin is thin with bright green color and the flesh is of medium quality.

It contains about 20% oil and it is not the best avocado in terms of production.

Lula avocados:

This avocado variety is very famous in Florida and it has a very high productivity rate. (25)

The skin of a Lula avocado is smooth and green with no warts and it has a medium weight of 18ounces (500g).

Lula avocados have yellow inside flesh and they taste very refreshing, the taste you would expect from a tropical fruit.

Also, the best thing about Lula avocados is their tolerance to refrigeration which makes them perfect for shipping.

The oil content of a Lula avocado is about 10%.

Guatemalan + West Indies avocados hybrids:

This type of hybrids between Guatemalan and includes more than 30 varieties, among which:

Choquette avocados:

This avocado variety is among the large-sized ones and weighs about 35 ounces (1Kg).

Choquette avocado are pear-shaped and have a smooth dark green skin with a leathery and shiny aspect

You probably wouldn’t find a hall in your market as it is not exported and mostly sold in Florida and West Indies islands. (26)

Also, the flesh properties are not outstanding and it contains only 10% of oil.

Hall avocados:

This avocado variety is among the average-sized ones and weighs about 18 ounces (500g).

Hall avocados are very elongated in shape and have a bright yellow inside flesh with a large seed. (27)

This avocado variety is very resistant to root rotting which makes it very beneficial commercially.

Just like the Choquette variety, Hall avocados are low in oil and offer only 10% of avocado oil.

It is important to note that Mexican + West indies hybrids are super rare and there’s no chance you can find them in the market.

 

 

References:

(1): The History of the Avocados in California | California Avocados
(2): 17 Different Types of Avocados – Home Stratosphere
(3): types-of-avocados
(4): Top 10 Avocado producing countries in the world – production and area under cultivation [2020] (numerical.co.in)
(5): reed-avocado
(6): The Impact of Outcrossing on Yields of ‘Hass’ Avocado in: Journal of the American Society for Horticultural Science Volume 133 Issue 5 (2008) (ashs.org)
(7): Duke avocado trees are not for sale – Chico Enterprise-Record (chicoer.com)

(8): Avocado Leaves Information, Recipes and Facts (specialtyproduce.com)
(9): Zutano Avocado Trees – Louie’s Nursery & Garden Center – Riverside CA (louiesnursery.com)
(10): Garden Guides | Zutano Avocado Tree Facts
(11): The West Indies Federation – CARICOM
(12): [PDF] CHILLING INJURY IN POLLOCK AVOCADOS DURING COLD STORAGE | Semantic Scholar
(13): Avocado varieties in the Floridian landscape
(14): global_avocado_verieties_and_types_cirad_journals.pdf
(15): All about paltas | Polish girl living in Chile with Chilean family (wordpress.com)
(16): Varieties and rootstocks – New Zealand Avocado (nzavocado.co.nz)
(17): Hass Avocado Market Report | Size, Share, Growth & Trends (2022-27) (mordorintelligence.com)
(18): Effect of Hass Avocado Fruit Ripeness on Oil Yield (Percentage of Flesh… | Download Scientific Diagram (researchgate.net)
(19): Linda Avocado (myavocadotrees.com)
(20): Best Cold-Hardy Avocado Tree Varieties – Think Avocado
(21): Avocado tree Tonnage, Grafted (Persea americana), 6821 | Rare plant nursery – Top Tropicals
(22): Bacon Avocado – A Delicious Winter Treat – Veritable Vegetable
(23): The Fuerte Avocado – Minneopa Orchards (minnetonkaorchards.com)
(24): Ettinger Avocado – CooksInfo
(25): All About Lula Avocados – FruitStand.com
(26): Know Your Avocado: The Choquette Avocado – Avocado Buddy
(27): Hall Avocado Tree – Yarden