Shoppers are flocking to supermarkets to stock up on the much-loved Hass avocados after an underappreciated season of the Shepard variety.
Coles and Woolworths have brought back the fan favourite Hass avocados, which are now back in season from May through to January.
During its absence, the less popular green-skinned Shepard variety takes over the fruit and vegetable aisles between February and April.
After a long three-month wait, avocado fans are thrilled to see the Hass variety return.
‘I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw Hass at Coles – I thought I was dreaming. It’s been a painful couple of months without them,’ a shopper told FEMAIL.
‘I can’t stand Shepard avocados. No matter how long I wait for them to ripen, they never taste as creamy or delicious as Hass. I’ve been avoiding buying avocados for the past three months… Until now.’
Shoppers are flocking to supermarkets to stock up on the much-loved Hass avocados after a less popular season of the Shepard variety
Shoppers can now expect to see Hass in supermarkets, with a Coles spokeswoman telling FEMAIL: ‘The Hass is back. The ever-popular Hass avocados are currently in season and have made their return to our shelves at Coles in the last few weeks.
‘Hass avocados are always a customer-favourite and thanks to a strong harvest in Queensland’s growing regions, they are in abundant supply and are now available in our stores.
‘Whether it’s for a salad, on toast or for guacamole, we know customers love Hass ‘Avos’ for their rich, buttery texture, distinctive flavour and being able to select one that’s just right for their avocado needs.’
With the ever popular Hass avocados back on the menu, Shepard season is well and truly over for another year.
‘Shephard Avocados are an important part of our offering to get avocado-loving customers through the months of the year when the Hass variety aren’t in season and available due,’ the Coles spokeswoman added.
Many Hass avocado enthusiasts have gone online to similarly express their delight.
‘Almost shed a tear finding Hass avocados at Woolies today… There’s light at the end of the tunnel. It is a weekend for miracles,’ one said.
‘The way I just started crying,’ another shared.
‘This has relieved my Shepard depression,’ one revealed.
‘Yay! I have missed avocados,’ another added.
Fan favourite Hass avocados are now back in season from May through to January
Many joked the ‘war is over’ while another pointed out: ‘It’s a good day to be in Australia’ after spotting Hass at their local supermarket.
‘Goodbye Shepard avocados and hello Hass I say,’ one said.
‘About time… I was sick of crunchy avocado,’ another shared.
However, some were sympathetic towards Shephard, with one saying: ‘I feel bad for Shepard avocados… it’s not their fault they are inferior to the Hass avos.’
Every year, Australians vent their frustration at Shepard avocados, which are notoriously hard to tell when ripe.
‘I had a bag of Shepherd avocados sitting on my counter for 15 days and they never ripened. Hard as a rock,’ one said.
‘In the history of the world has a Shepard avocado ever ripened because I’ve never seen one ripe,’ another claimed.
‘Shepard avocados are so much harder to get nice and ripe. I left one out for four days and when I opened it, it wasn’t ripe enough and tasted like plastic,’ one said.
‘I wouldn’t even call Shepherds a real Avocado – it has the consistency of a candle. Hass all the way,’ another added.
Shepard always stays green, even when ripe, while Hass changes colour as it ripens – going from a green to purple black.
Hass has a creamy texture and taste while Shepard, which is less prone to bruising, has a nutty flavour and butter texture.
Keeping avocados in a fruit bowl or brown paper bag with bananas can help speed up the ripening process.
