Description
In the 1980’s, Bob Bergh and his assistants working within the University of California’s avocado breeding program planted thousands of seeds of the variety Gwen in search of new, superior varieties. Two varieties selected from among those Gwen seedlings were GEM and Luna.
GEM is a cream-of-the-crop avocado that was selected by Gray Edward Martin while working under Bob Bergh. 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.
Luna was also selected by Gray Martin and Bob Bergh at approximately the same time as GEM, but it was only recently patented and released for farmers to grow (in 2023). Because of this, it can be considered the newest U.C. variety. Luna’s harvest season starts a bit later than GEM (and GEM starts a bit later than Hass). Smaller than Hass on average, the Luna avocado has more of a pear shape, slightly smoother skin, and flesh inside that has a melting texture.
These are clean avocados. None of the trees from which these avocados were harvested have ever been sprayed with anything.
I harvested the GEM avocados from BalMar Farm and the Luna avocados from Eli’s Farm, both in Fallbrook, San Diego County.
To learn more about the GEM variety, see my profile here.
My profile of Luna is upcoming.
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