Hass Avocados

Hass avocados are a smaller variety and are more oval in shape than Fuerte and Sharwill. Their skin is coarsely textured, and they are the only variety that changes colour with ripening, turning from green to purplish-black. All varieties are available all year round.

How to buy

A good avocado should feel heavy for its size. Its skin should be unblemished, without any splits. Colour is not an indication of ripeness - Hass avocados will turn purplish-black when ripe, but other varieties will remain green.

How to store

Unripe avocados will soften if stored at room temperature for 3 to 6 days. When ripe, they will yield slightly to gentle pressure at their stem end. Once at this stage, they're best stored in the fridge and used within 2 days. You can speed up the ripening process by storing avocados at room temperature in a brown paper bag with a ripe banana or apple (these fruits emit ethylene gas, which helps to ripen fruit).

How to cook

To make guacamole, finely chop or mash 2 Hass avocados. Add 3 to 4 tablespoons lemon or lime juice, 2 tablespoons chopped coriander, 1 red chilli, finely chopped, and ? small red onion, finely chopped. Season with salt and pepper and mix well to combine. Delicious as a dip, in tortillas, or served with fish or chicken.

Make a fresh spring salad by combining shredded chicken, slices of Hass avocado, baby spinach leaves, sliced Roma tomatoes and toasted pine nuts. Delicious for lunch or serve with bread for a light dinner.

For a delicious early summer salad, combine slices of Hass avocado with thin slices of mango, rocket leaves and roughly chopped toasted macadamia nuts. The rich flavours make this salad great as an appetiser for entertaining.

Go well with

Lime, garlic, coriander, tomatoes and is a healthy topping on toasted bread.