Coles shoppers are rejoicing to have a little-known type of avocado in stock – and it’s an alternative to the ever-controversial Shepard variety.
The ‘Fall Avocado’ is now available nationwide for $1.30 each (the same price as Shepard avocados) and is believed to be launched as a suitable replacement for the popular Hass avocados.
The Australians have made it clear that Hass avocados are preferred to the “dreaded” Shepard, but only the latter is currently in season.
The latest addition has a rough, pebble-green skin that darkens as the fruit ripens. It is also a little larger than Hass.
Fall avocados became available in 2021 and most who tried them agreed that they are better than Shepards, but for the most part “not as good” as Hass.
Coles now sells Autumn avocados (pictured) in addition to Shepard
It has a rough, pebble-green skin that darkens as the fruit ripens. It is also a little larger than Hass. The Australians have made it clear that Hass avocados are preferred to the “dreaded” Shepard, but currently only the latter is in season (pictured left, autumn avocados).
‘Avocado lovers who despise Shepard season: try ‘fall’ avocados. They are going well. “I mean they’re not Hass, but they’re a much better substitute,” one woman wrote on Facebook.
Another customer took to Reddit to share their distaste for the product, writing: ‘The autumn avocados at Coles are just horrible Shepard avocados. Don’t make my mistake.’
Someone else wrote: “They’re fine for guacamole, anything else, although the texture isn’t right.”
“There’s only one avocado… Hass or nothing,” added one more.
Another said: “My favorite time of year, I love Shepard avocado,” to the fury of critics.
WhatsNew2Day Australia has contacted Coles for comment.
Some customers say they prefer Autumn avocados (right) to Shepard (left)
This comes as Australians expressed frustration at being in the “worst season of the year”, when Shepard avocados are more available than the popular Hass variety.
Hass avocados are in season in Australia from May to January, while Shepards are in season from February to April with production peaking in March.
Avocado lovers are up in arms during Shepard season, with some calling the fruit variety “inferior” for its “waxy” texture.
A shopper has accused a supermarket of “rebranding” Shepard avocados to make them more attractive.
A Coles customer noticed that the underripe Shepards in the fresh produce section had stickers saying “Green Skinned Avocados.”