Pick of the Week - Reed Avocados

Reed avocados are not well known but much loved by those who do know them. It is larger than most avocados, with a skin that remains green when the fruit ripens and is round in shape unlike most other avocados. They have a nutty flavour quite different to the far better known black skin Hass variety and cut fruit stores well in the fridge - again differently to other varieties. They do have somewhat large seed but the fruit is very large also, meaning each avocado provides a lot of fruit.

Reed avocados are very creamy and are full of nutrients like . They are a good source of fibre, folate, vitamin K, vitamin E, vitamin C and potassium. They are one of only a few fruits to contain good fat - the type that keeps you healthy. It’s a source of essential fatty acids and is mostly the same kind of healthy fat found in olive oil.

A large Reed avocado can make enough guacamole for several people, or provide sliced avocados for burgers and sandwiches.

HOW TO PICK
To find out if a Reed avocado is ready to eat, hold it in your hand and gently press your thumb. It will not feel rock hard, but will “give” just slightly.

HOW TO STORE
Store at room temperature until ripe. They don’t turn black when they’re ripe…so it takes a little practice to learn when a Reed is perfectly ready to eat.