While most focus in the global avocado industry tends to be directed at the Hass variety, British retailer Tesco has branched out in recent years sourcing the large-sized “Avozilla” and more recently the mini “Zilla Eggs” in a bid to utilise smaller crops.
The supermarket chain is now building on this diversification for the UK market with a premium avocado branded as GEM, with “eye-catching, natural gold flecks on its outer skin” and what it claims to be a smoother and creamier taste.
It is also slightly sweeter than other varieties and has a thicker skin making it easier to scoop out with a spoon.
Licensed by multinational Westfalia Group, the GEM avocados are grown by an “elite” group of growers around the world, but the fruit currently on sale are from South Africa.
In a release, Tesco avocado buyer Andrew Pattison said GEM was not the kind of avocado you mash up into guacamole, but rather show off as a special treat at a dinner party.
“This outstanding avocado stands out from other varieties because of its rich taste, melt in the mouth texture, smooth creaminess and slight nuttiness,” Pattison said.
“But it is also notable for its eye-catching golden lenticels or speckles which appear on the dark skin of the ripe fruit and which make it stand out from other avocado varieties.”
“Avocados have massively grown in popularity from the days when they were still considered a niche food 25 years ago and have even made their way onto British breakfast menus as a trendy and tasty addition to egg on toast.”
In a release, Westfalia highlighted independent tasting panels confirmed British consumers loved the smooth flesh of GEM, with its creamy, melt-in-the-mouth texture and its sweet taste and subtle nutty aroma.
“We’re extremely excited to be able to offer UK consumers this premium avocado, which will be on Tesco shelves for a limited period this month,” Westfalia head of corporate communications Julia Tew said.
“We’re convinced that GEM® is going to become a household name for discerning avocado lovers and look forward to being able to deliver more of this gourmet fruit in the coming seasons.”
