You’ve probably seen those large, green avocados at the grocery store — Florida avocados, also known as Dominican avocados — and wondered what the difference is. Are you missing out?
The Florida avocado has some great uses, but the Hass avocado makes more sense for most culinary purposes. The big difference: these avocados have significantly less fat.
Now, less fat might sound good, but the fats found in Hass avocados are very healthy. Avocado oils are considered heart-healthy and good for your skin. A Florida avocado has the same kind of fats but in much lower quantities.
In terms of cooking, the fatty Hass avocado cannot be beaten. The richness of the fruit makes the Hass easy to mash and whip and richer in taste. For guacamole, avocado toast, warm pesto sauce, or a healthy fat component in baked goods, you need the Hass avocado.
The Florida avocado may be superior in just a few cases — namely when slicing and dicing for salads. The firm, low-fat flesh holds its shape when you toss cubes of it into a salad, for example. And if you add olive oil, nuts, or other healthy fats, perhaps you might be interested in cutting calories by using the Florida variety instead of the Hass.
Try the larger avocado, and you’ll see what we mean. It’s easy to slice and handle but has a watery taste compared to the Hass.
Hass vs. Florida Avocado: What’s the Nutritional Difference?
If you eat an entire Florida avocado, you’ll be consuming many more calories than you would with one Hass avocado. Bite for bite, the Florida variety has fewer calories.
Here’s how the nutrition breaks down:
- One cup of Florida avocado has 276 calories and 23 grams of fat.
- One cup of Hass avocado has 384 calories and 35 grams of fat.
Not too much difference there, right? Except that you may end up eating a more significant portion of the Florida variety of avocado because it lacks the richness and taste. That can mean more calories yet fewer healthy fats.
Ultimately, this low-fat avocado has some unique possibilities thanks to its firm texture and content. For that creamy, healthy goodness that we all expect from an avocado, Hass is king.
