What Are The Varieties of Moroccan Avocados

Morocco  has a long history of growing avocado fruit. This is why we have decided to describe in detail what are the fascinating Moroccan varieties of this fresh produce. On average, 

the country produces more than 40 thousand and exports between 30 and 35 thousand tons per year, which it exports to the European market.

 Compared to other origins,there are not so many types of avocado in Morocco. The most known varieties are : Hass, Zutano, Bacon & Fuerte.

 Here's a breakdown of the most common types you'll find.

1- All you need to know about Hass Avocado

Hass avocado is a large berry containing a single seed known as a "stone" or "pit" that makes up 80% of all avocados grown in the world. 

History of the Hass Avocado 

The Hass avocado is a cultivar of avocado with dark green–colored, bumpy skin. It was first grown and sold by Southern California mail carrier Rudolph Hass, who also gave it its name. The fruit has since become one of the most popular varieties worldwide.

How to Identify Hass Avocado

The ripe & ready-to-eat fruit has purplish black skin that yields to gentle pressure when squeezed. While it is possible to grow an avocado tree from the pit of an avocado fruit. 

While purchasing an avocado tree, you can probably expect to see your first fruit 3-4 years after planting it. But If you grow it  from seed, it can take anywhere from 5 to 13 years before the tree is mature enough to set fruit.

What Makes an Avocado Hass?

Of all the varieties grown in the world there is one that stands out: the Hass avocado ! 

This tropical fruit is a large-sized fruit weighing 200–300 grams. Its trees have high yields compared to other varieties. 

Most Hass trees bloom twice a year and occasionally there is a third bloom. Hass trees can grow from 15 to 30 feet tall. 

The Hass variety has been by far the most popular in Morocco, representing 80% of the total avocado production. The rest is represented by Fuerte and Pinkerton varieties ( Bacon and Zutano).

Moroccan Hass avocado cultivation

Morocco’s mild climate conditions seem to suit the avocado trees quite favorably which makes it one of the few countries in northern Africa which can produce Hass avocados for 6 to 7 months in a row. 

The ideal soil for Hass avocado trees is loose and loamy or sandy, with a pH level no higher than 6.5 which makes the North Moroccan’s soil the perfect location for avocado cultivation. 

Furthermore, the Hass avocado trees are interesting because they have both male and female parts on the same tree meaning that they are self-pollinating. 

The lifespan of an average tree is several decades and like all avocados, Hass avocados ripen only once they are picked from the tree and they can be left on the tree for several months after the fruit has matured.

Now that we’ve identified the most popular type of Moroccan avocado, let’s discover the second type which is the Fuerte Avocado. 

2- All you need to know about Fuerte Avocado

Fuerte avocado is a large pear-shaped fruit with a thick, smooth and buttery-green skin. The flesh of the fruit is green and has a creamy texture. Some varieties of Fuerte avocado may have white streaks or patches on the outside surface. Fuerte avocado fruit is rich in oil content, with an oil content ranging from 17 to 25% of its total weight.

History of the Fuerte Avocado 

The Fuerte avocado is a type of avocado with green-skinned, pear-shaped fruit. It was the dominant variety of California avocados until the late 1960s. It is known for its cold tolerance and smooth flavor. The Fuerte avocado has a creamy texture and nutty flavor. In recent years, it has become popular again as a specialty fruit, often selling for high prices.

The Fuerte avocado is the most common variety of avocado in the world. It is actually a hybrid, created from the Mexican and Guatemalan varieties. This variety is also known as 'Bacon' avocado, which has its origin in California.

How to Identify Fuerte Avocado

The Fuerte avocado fruit is of medium size, weighing roughly 8 ounces, with a pear shape and fairly smooth green skin. 

The Fuerte avocados are best used for processing due to its lower oil content, but are also well-liked by consumers as a fresh fruit.It is a variety  of avocado that can be eaten raw in salads or guacamole, but also cooked as a filling for quiches or used as a substitute for butter in baking cakes and cookies. 

What makes an Avocado Fuerte ? 

When the Fuerte avocado is ripe, it has a smooth, creamy texture and a nutty taste with excellent flavor and a lower oil content than the Hass. It is considered to be one of the tastiest varieties. The flesh of the fruit is pale yellow in color and its skin turns dark brown or black when fully ripe.

Aside from eating, Fuertes can be enjoyed as a drink – tossed in with fruit or coconut water to make a delicious smoothie

Moroccan Fuerte avocado cultivation

Avocados are commercially valuable and are cultivated in tropical and Mediterranean climates throughout the world. They have a green-skinned, fleshy body that may be pear-shaped, egg-shaped, or spherical. Commercially, they ripen after harvesting. Avocado trees are partially self-pollinating and are often propagated through grafting to maintain a predictable quality and quantity of the fruit.

The Fuerte avocado tree needs to be planted in well draining soil and thrives best in full sun. Like most other varieties of avocados, it is not drought tolerant. 

Also, the fuerte tree can be cold hardy as well. They  require consistent pruning in order to maintain a manageable size and shape.

Fuerte avocado tree  is a 'B' type, which means that it flowers in two waves and can be pollinated by the 'A' type, Hass avocado. 

Now let’s sum up the differences between Hass and Fuerte Moroccan Avocado. 

3- Hass Avocado Vs Fuerte Avocado 

Are you confused about the difference between Fuerte avocados and Hass avocados? Does one taste more creamy or has more flavor than the other?  Well, here at Unique Packing,  we are often asked which is better.

The Fuerte is a bit smaller than the Hass and has a green skin with darker spots. The pulp tastes less buttery and sweeter than the Hass. If you’re on the fence regarding which one to buy, here is a comparative chart between both varieties.