Description
This is an opportunity to try three of the most popular early avocado varieties side by side.
Bacon avocados originated in Orange County, California, on the ranch of James E. Bacon, who planted the original tree around 1928. Bacon trees are relatively tough in cold weather and have attractive, deep green leaves. The fruit has a mild, almost sweet flavor.
Zutano originated in Fallbrook, San Diego County, also in the 1920’s. It is a vigorous tree that is very productive, and the fruit is “light” in oil, being best suited for salads and sandwiches. The seeds of a Zutano are large and often used as rootstocks for grafting.
Fuerte is the avocado variety upon which the California industry was built. In 1911, Fuerte was discovered in Mexico, brought up to California, and propagated by West India Gardens Nursery of Altadena. It was the most popular avocado until Hass overtook it in the 1970’s.
All three of these avocado varieties have a different flowering pattern than Hass, called “B type” behavior, whereas Hass is an “A type.” Therefore, Bacon, Zutano, and Fuerte are able to provide pollen for Hass trees and other A types in order to increase fruitfulness. This is why farmers and gardeners alike often plant varieties of the different flower types together.
These are clean avocados. None of the trees from which these avocados have been harvested have been sprayed.
I harvested the Bacon avocados from BalMar Farms in De Luz, the Zutano avocados come from Southland Farms in Fallbrook, and the Fuerte avocados are from Shady Lane Farm in Fallbrook, all in San Diego County.
February is when Bacon and Zutano avocados reach their best flavor and quality in this area. Fuerte is also at its prime, but it can maintain quality on the tree into early spring — a little longer than Bacon and Zutano, whose seasons are shorter. (In other words, this is your last chance to taste Bacon and Zutano avocados this year!)
To learn more about these varieties, see my profiles:
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