Description
Sharwil avocados originated in Australia in the 1950’s, the creation of Frank Sharpe and James Wilson. “Sharwil” is a portmanteau, combining the names of Sharpe and Wilson. A number of seasoned avocado enthusiasts consider Sharwil their favorite avocado to eat, with its small seed, rich flavor, golden color, and smooth texture.
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. To me, guacamole made with Fuertes remains the supreme guacamole.
GEM is a cream-of-the-crop avocado that was selected by Gray Edward Martin while working for the University of California avocado breeding program. The avocado is slightly larger and rounder than Hass on average, and with a slightly larger and pointier seed. The skin of GEM is a bit thicker than Hass, and it has a shimmering speckle to it when unripe. As the fruit ripens, it turns black. It is one of my favorite eating avocados, with a meaty texture and a nutty flavor.
These are clean avocados. None of the trees from which these avocados were harvested have ever been sprayed with anything.
I harvested the Sharwil avocados from the Spaugh Grove in Poway, San Diego County. The Fuerte avocados come from Shady Lane Farm in Fallbrook, San Diego County. And the GEM avocados come from BalMar Farm in Fallbrook.
To learn more about these varieties, see my profiles:
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