Aussies rage against ‘inferior’ Shepard avocados that are the only ones available now, expert reveals when they’re actually ready to eat
- Shepard avocados are in season from February to April each year.
- They are ripe when you press them near the step and are smooth to the touch.
If there’s one time of year Australians despise, it’s the 12 weeks when Shepard avocados replace the preferred Hass alternative in supermarkets.
The two main varieties of Australian avocados are Shepard (in season from February to April) and Hass (in season from May to January).
With March being peak season for thin, thick-skinned Shepards, their presence on supermarket shelves is infuriating avocado lovers across the country.
Shepard avocados are better suited for slicing as they are firmer and do not lose their shape when sliced, so the avocados go well in salads and as a garnish for Mexican rice and beans.
It’s hard to tell when Shepards are ripe, as they don’t change color, but one expert revealed that if the top of the avocado, near the stem, is soft, then they’re ready to eat.
The two main varieties of Australian avocados are Shepard (in season from February to April) and Hass (in season from May to January).
If there’s one time of year Australians despise, it’s the twelve weeks when Shepard avocados replace the preferred Hass alternative in supermarkets.
Over 80% of locally grown avocados are Hass, with Shepard only making up 10-15% of the crop.
“It’s Shepard avocado season right now, and most people are used to finding Hass avocados,” Australian farmer Julia, of Tweed Real Food, said in a video.
“The difference is that Hass avocados are rounder and darken when ripe.”
“But Shepard avocados have green skin and you really have to monitor them to see when they’re ripe.”
He demonstrated a foolproof method to discern the ripeness of an avocado.
“Tighten the tops of them lightly, but make sure you don’t bruise them,” she advised.
Another difference between the two is that Hass avocados have the stems removed while their counterparts do not.
“If you remove the stem, your Shepard avocado will start to rot from the top down.”
However, thousands of Australians are saddened by Shepard’s season, with several saying they are “heartbroken” by the change.
Yet thousands of Australians are saddened by Shepard’s season.
“Heartbreaking moment as Shepard avocados start to replace Hass,” one man wrote on Twitter.
‘Shepard avocados are the ultimate proof that there is no god.’
“Twelve trays of Shepard avocados at Woolies and none of them are ripe,” another angry man wrote.
A woman posted a video detailing a very specific comparison between the ‘inferior’ avocado and an unwanted guest.
“Can we start a petition to stock Hass avocados year-round and remove Shepard avocados?” she asked.
“Hass avocados are elite and Shepard avocados are like that weird annoying Christmas drunk uncle you have to invite over on Christmas Day because it would be rude not to, but you really don’t want to. They stink.
A woman posted a video detailing a very specific comparison between the ‘inferior’ avocado and an unwanted guest
Others weren’t as eloquent, but echoed the same sentiment.
‘Shepard avocados – die, die, die, die! Get rid of them!’
But some were glad to finally get rid of the ‘soft’ and ‘stringy’ Hass avocados.
“Actually, I love Shepard avocados, and I regret the ten months of the year I’m forced to eat the other yucky, stringy, immediately brown Hass substitutes.”
“I don’t normally like these, but I had a large Shepard avocado yesterday – they’re awful as mashed avocado on toast, but they work great with a bean and rice stew.”
‘There’s nothing better than a Shepard in a salad, it’s delicious.’
