How To Know When Shepard Avocados Are Ripe: Avocado Recipes In Australia Coles And Woolworths
Aussies rage against ‘inferior’ Shepard avocados now the only ones – as expert reveals when they’re really ready to eat
- Shepard avocados are in season from February to April each year
- They are ripe when you press down on the step and they are soft to the touch
If there’s a time of year Australians hate, it’s the 12 weeks when Shepard avocados replace the preferred Hass alternative in supermarkets.
The two main varieties of Australian avocados are Shepard (season February to April) and Hass (season May to January).
With March being peak season for the slender, pachyderms, its presence on supermarket shelves is angering avo aficionados across the country.
Shepards are better suited for slicing because they are firmer and don’t lose their shape when sliced - so the avocados work well in salads and as a side dish for Mexican rice and beans.
It’s hard to know when sheepdogs are ripe because they don’t change color, but one expert revealed that if the top of the avocado — near the stem — is soft, they’re ready to eat.
The two main varieties of Australian avocados are Shepard (season February to April) and Hass (season May to January)
If there’s a time of year Australians detest, it’s the 12 weeks when Shepard avocados replace the preferred Hass alternative in supermarkets
Over 80% of locally grown avocados are Hass – with Shepards making up only 10-15% of the crop.
“It’s Shepard avocado season right now – and most people are used to finding Hass avocados,” Australian grower Julia of Tweed Real Food said in a statement. video.
“The difference is that Hass avocados are rounder and darken as they ripen.”
“But Shepard avocados have green skin and you really have to watch them to see when they’re ripe.”
She demonstrated a foolproof method for discerning the ripeness of an avocado.
“Squeeze them lightly, but be careful not to bruise them,” she advised.
Another difference between the two is that Hass avocados have their stems removed while their counterparts do not.
“If you remove the stem, your Shepard avocado will rot from top to bottom.”
Thousands of Australians are nevertheless despairing over the Shepard season – with several claiming to be ‘heartbroken’ about the change
Thousands of Australians are nonetheless lonely about the Shepard season.
“The heartbreaking moment when Shepard avocados begin to replace Hass,” one man wrote on Twitter.
“Shepard avocados are the definitive proof that there is no god.”
“Twelve trays of Shepard avocados at Woolies and not one of them is ripe,” another angry man wrote.
A woman posted a video detailing a very specific comparison between the “inferior” avocado and an unwelcome guest.
“Can we please start a petition to stock Hass avocados year round and kick Shepard avocados to the curb?” she asked.
“Hass avocados are elite and Shepard avocados are like that weird, annoying drunk uncle at Christmas time that you have to invite on Christmas Day because it would be rude not to, but you really don’t want to.” They suck.’
A woman posted a video describing a very specific comparison between the ‘inferior’ avocado and an unwelcome guest
Others were not so eloquent – but echoed the same sentiment.
Shepard avocados – die, die, die, die! Get rid of them!’
But some were happy to finally get rid of the “soft” and “stringy” Hass avocados.
“Actually, I love Shepard avocados and mourn the ten months of the year when I’m forced to eat the other coarse, stringy, instant brown Hass substitutes.”
“I usually hate them, but I had a great Shepard avocado yesterday—they’re awful as an avocado smash on toast, but work really well with a bean stew and rice.”
“There’s nothing like a Shepherd in a salad – it’s delicious.”
.