Avocado - Hass - Type A

Code: 26_plant
Fruit Description: Hass is a Late season, Type A cultivar. One of the most commonly grown cultivars, the Hass produces fruit year-round. Hass trees have medium-sized (150?250 g), ovate fruit with a black, pebbled skin. The flesh has a nutty, rich flavour with 19% oil. Frost tolerant to -3?C. Its tree size is 8 by 6 metres. The average avocado tree produces about 500 avocados annually. The fruit is very nutritious, high in energy, low in carbohydrates, high in vitamins and minerals.
Plant growing Height and Width for pots or in the ground planting: Grows to 4 metres high by 2.5 metres wide if Planted in a Pot. Grows 8 metres high by 6 metres wide if Planted in the Ground.
Uses: Avocadoes have high fat content compared to other fruit. This is especially important as a staple food for those whose diet doesn't include meat fat or dairy foods. Most of the fat is the beneficial monounsaturated fat. Avocadoes are high in dietary fibre, both soluble and insoluble. They are rich in potassium, B group vitamins, and vitamin E and vitamin K. The flesh turns brown quickly after exposure to air. To prevent this, lime or lemon juice can be added to avocados after they are peeled. The fruit is not sweet, but fatty, and distinctly yet subtly flavoured, and of smooth, almost creamy texture. It is eaten raw; cooking makes the flesh bitter. It is used in both savoury and sweet dishes, though in many countries not for both. The avocado is very popular in vegetarian cuisine, as substitute for meats in sandwiches and salads because of its high fat content. It is an excellent healthy substitute for butter or margarine in sandwiches, bread and crackers. Avocadoes are commonly used in sushi rolls, in salads, sandwiches, dips such as Guacamole, with eggs in omelette, and is delicious with rice, with chicken, prawns or fish. Substitute avocado for butter or margarine as a healthy alternative spread on mashed avocado alone or mixed with other soft foods such as banana or yoghurt is great for small children. In several Asian countries, avocados are frequently used for milkshakes and occasionally added to ice cream and other desserts. In Ethiopia, it is common to serve an attractive drink of multiple fruit juices in layers in a glass made of avocados, mangoes, bananas, guavas and papayas. Avocado oils are used in cosmetics and soaps.
Medicinal Uses: There is evidence to show that high dietary avocado intake can lower ?bad? cholesterol and increase ?good cholesterol? in the blood.
Flowers : The flowers are inconspicuous, greenish-yellow, 5 - 10 millimetres wide.
Growing Conditions: Avocado trees may be erect growing types or spreading types depending on cultivar. The tree with alternately arranged leaves 120 ? 250 mm long. The subtropical species needs a frost-free climate with little wind. High winds reduce the humidity, dehydrate the flowers, and affect pollination. When even a mild frost occurs, premature fruit drop may occur, although the Hass cultivar can tolerate temperatures down to _1?C. The trees also need well-aerated soils, ideally more than 1 m deep. It is wise to buy and use anti-rot, which can be used in periods of wet weather to control Avocado Root-Rot caused by Phytophthora.
Plant Origin: Mexico, Guatemala, West Indies
Plant Family: Lauraceae