There are hundreds of varieties of avocado , although the most widely cultivated are limited to about ten. Although avocado is a species native to Central America, some varieties are also grown in Southern Italy, particularly in some areas of Calabria and Sicily, which are suited to a high-quality and niche production thanks to an optimal microclimate and soil conditions: exposure to sunlight, proximity to the sea and mountains, sandy soils.
Below we report the most cultivated and widespread avocado varieties in Italy.

Avocado: varieties

Hass avocado

The Hass avocado is the most important avocado variety in the world for its organoleptic qualities, superior to other cultivars. The fruit is characterized by an oval shape or, in warmer climates such as Calabria, pear-shaped, with a weight between 140 and 400 grams. The fruit on the tree is dark green. When ripe, the skin takes on a brown/black color (find out when an avocado is ripe) , while the pulp is green-yellow, very soft and with a high oil content (about 20%). In Southern Italy it is harvested from December to May.

Avocado Bacon

The Bacon avocado fruit has an oval shape, medium to large size and weighs between 150 and 500 grams. The peel, which is easily removed, is green and maintains this color even when ripe. The pulp inside is green and has a large seed. The Bacon avocado fruit ripens early compared to other varieties, in fact in our hemisphere it is harvested starting in October. It is ready to be eaten when it is slightly soft to the touch.

Avocado Strong

This variety of avocado takes its name from its high resistance to cold, as it withstood the cold winter of 1913 in California. The fruit of the Avocado variety Fuerte is pear-shaped and has a green skin, easily removable. When the fruit reaches maturity, it has a pale yellow pulp with a creamy consistency. The quality of this cultivar is very good, although inferior to that of the Avocado Hass. Once harvested, the fruit should be consumed within a few days.

Avocado variety Pinkerton

The Pinkerton Avocado is native to California, it has a smooth, green, pear-shaped skin (often very elongated in shape). The advantage of this variety is its long shelf life, which is longer than that of other avocado cultivars. When ripe, the skin takes on an even darker green color, while the pulp is pale green.

Avocado Reed

The fruit of Avocado Reed is easily recognizable because it has a spherical shape, with a fairly thick green skin although easily removable. It can assume large dimensions, weighing up to 700 grams. Its harvest is late compared to other varieties of avocado, in fact it can also be harvested during the summer season in our hemisphere.

On this site you can buy our organic avocados produced in Calabria with free home delivery throughout Italy.

Credits: Photo of avocado Bacon and Fuerte from California Avocado Commission