The Hass avocado is one of the most delicious varieties of avocado around, with a rich creamy flesh and superior taste. Hass avocados make up 95% of all the avocados eaten in the USA but you may be surprised to learn that the humble Hass is one of the newest varieties of avocado and didn’t even exist before the 1920’s.

So where did the Hass avocado come from and why is it quickly becoming one of America’s favorite fruits? Read on to find out everything you could possibly want to know about what many consider to be the king of avocados.

Hass avocado trees have high yields compared to other varieties and a mature tree can produce over a million blooms. Most Hass trees bloom twice a year and occasionally there is a third bloom. Hass trees start bearing fruit in three to five years and grow from 15 to 30 feet tall. The lifespan of an average tree is several decades.

Unlike other avocados, which have smooth green skin, the Hass avocado fruit has dark green bumpy skin that darkens as it ripens, eventually reaching a very dark shade that is almost black. 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.

When it comes to nutritional content, Hass avocados are higher in fat than other varieties, which gives them a richer taste and smoother, creamier texture. 80% of avocados consumed in the world are Hass avocados, meaning all other varieties make up only a small proportion of the remaining 20%. In the US, this number rises to 95%.