Q & A Search

We're happy to help try and answer your questions for you. Many of our Web site visitors have similar questions. Please check the following questions and answers below to see if your question is answered here. If not please feel free to submit your question here for further information. We hope that you continue to enjoy Fresh California Avocados.

General Avocado Questions

Where can I find the nutritional information of an avocado?

The nutrition information of an avocado can be found at the below link:

http://www.avocado.org/healthy-living/nutrition

What are the total carbs and calories in an avocado?

The total Carbohydrates of an Avocado (serving size 1/5 medium (30g/1oz) is 3 grams or 1% of the daily value.

Below is a link with all of the other nutritional facts of an avocado.

The total Calories of an Avocado (serving size 1/5 medium (30g/1oz) is 50 per serving (35 calories from fat).

http://www.avocado.org/healthy-living/nutrition

Why does my avocado have brown strings?

Strings or “stringy” fruit are generally the result of fruit from younger trees. Often times the fibers or strings will “disappear” or become less noticeable as the fruit matures.

The fruits’ oil content also can play a role in how stringy the fruit is. Variances in oil content in avocados can explain why strings appear in some avocados and not in others. Mid-late season California avocados have high oil content resulting in fruit with little to no stringiness.

Varietal Questions

How many different varieties of avocados are there?

Keep in mind that each seed planted results in a unique avocado tree very different from the parent tree. For example, if you plant a seed from a Hass avocado remember the seedling will be the result of a graft and the resulting tree and fruit will be very different from its parents – even if it is the product of self pollination! Since this is the process by which new varieties are discovered, there are literally thousands of named varieties of avocados (and untold unnamed ones in back yards and in the wild). In fact, a University database has over 1,000 named varieties. However, there are really only a small number of commercial varieties being grown for sale today, the main one being Hass, with Lamb Hass, Fuerte, Bacon, Pinkerton, Gwen, Reed and Zutano also available commercially.

Harvesting/Producing Questions

I have an avocado tree, how do I know when my avocados are ready for picking?

Avocados do not "ripen" on the tree, that is, they do not get soft while on the tree. Once you pick an avocado, it takes about 7 to 10 days for it to soften when left at room temperature. You can speed the process up slightly by placing the avocado in a bag with some other ripe fruit (like an apple). The fruit may not ripen properly if temperatures are too warm (above ° F) or too cold (below 60 ° F). You can tell if your avocado is ripe for eating when it yields to gentle pressure in the palm of your hand. Firm avocados will need a few days to ripen before they are ready-to-eat. It depends on the variety of the avocado as far as color is concerned.

The following Web site includes some photographs of different varieties: http://www.avocado.org/about/varieties

You can usually tell from the look of the fruit whether they are old or young fruit by their size and color of the skin. Most avocado fruit will have a shine to the skin when young that is gradually lost as the fruit matures.

I want to know about an avocado known as the "cocktail" or "finger" avocado?

The small, pickle-shaped fruit are sometimes called "cukes" (as in cucumbers) by many in the avocado industry. They result from a flower that did not pollinate properly. These fruit will often fall from the tree on their own, but if they "hang on" you can pick them and eat them. Some varieties are more prone to producing "cukes" than others and occasionally avocado growers will harvest them and market them. When sold, they are often labeled "Cocktail" or "Finger" avocados.

Planting, Fertilizing, Watering Questions

How do I grow my tree from seed?

Click here for details about growing an avocado from a seed.