Pick of the Week – Reed Avocados

“This week, my pick is Reed Avocados.

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

December to February is when they are at their best, with fruit coming from Southern and Western Australia. They are my first choice of avocado at this time of the year. The fruit earlier in the year is from Queensland and not very good.

The fat in avos and particularly reeds is good fat and keeps you healthy. If you have not tried them before this is the week to do it, they are on special, well priced, great value and cheaper than their dark-skinned cousins in all HFM stores this week.”

- David Harris

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.

Dave's Market Update

In Veg

“Wow tomatoes, what a great deal! We have both Truss tomatoes and assorted snacking tomatoes. Both top quality, cheap and great eating! Broccolini and snow peas are also very good. Prepack corn is very well supplied and eating well. And looking at the market, I would think Lebanese cucumbers will ease by the weekend. Enjoy the summer tomatoes!”

-David Harris

In Fruit

“Cherries remain our number 1 line this week, they are big black and a great price. This will be the end of the mainland fruit from NSW, there will be some from Victoria, but we will be getting heaps of beautiful Tassie fruit very soon.

There is quite a heavy supply of Victorian strawberries this week and prices are easing. Reed avocados have suddenly flushed in South Australia and for the next few weeks, they will be a great price. If you have not tried these avos, please read my pick of the week which tells the story of this fantastic fruit.

White grape supply is getting heavier. Both the cheaper bagged fruit and the more expensive but fantastic eating loose stack have both eased in price. For me, it’s time to move to the loose premium stack, they will be as important as cherries to us in a week or two.

It’s another very good week for peaches and nectarines. For my taste, it’s the white nectarines that are the pick this week, even the large extra premium fruit is very reasonably priced this week.”