Florida Avocado – with Light Green Skin – Slimcado Facts and Nutrition

A few months back, I starting seeing a Florida avocado – a  larger green skin avocado in my local supermarket called a “Slimcado.” It was marketed as having 35% fewer calories and 50% less fat than a Hass avocado.

For those people who count calories or are concerned with fat intake, this Florida light green skin avocado seems like a dream come true. But is it? After all , the fat in avocados is considered to be a good fat and we do need some fat in our diet.

I bought a Slimcado to see what it tasted like and I have to admit that I enjoyed it. (I’ve heard many people say “no thanks, I’ll take a Hass avocado any day of the week.) However, there are some benefits to a Florida avocado.

The Slimcado is a West Indian variety of avocado that is grown in Florida and is often simply called a Florida avocado. I’m sure the marketing board decided that touting the low fat and lower calorie content would make it sell better, and this is probably true.

At first glance the green skin avocado looks somewhat like a cross between a huge goose egg and a funny colored and smooth avocado.  The size is something else when you compare it to a normal Hass avocado.

Keep reading to find out more about the Slimcado and to learn the differences between the two types of avocado.

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Do you like the taste of avocados but not the calories? Try a Slimcado instead. This light green skin large Florida avocado has 35% less calories and 50% less fat than California avocados. Find out more about them on The Gardening… Click To Tweet

What is a Slimcado?

Slimcados are the brand name of a Florida avocado. They are quite heavy and large. I often get one that is 6 inches or so long and quite round at one end with a tapered top.

They can actually grow up to about two pounds. The fruit has a glossy green skin and has a shape similar to the Hass avocados.

A Florida avocado with the green light skin is grown grown in very humid climates, not dry climates like the California avocado.

Slimcados do have 35% less calories and 50% less fat than Hass avocados, but still have good nutrient content. They are a very good source of vitamin E, fiber, B-vitamins, potassium, zinc, and monounsaturated fat.

As far as flavor goes, I find them much sweeter than Hass avocados, but I actually enjoy that change. They seem, to me, to have a higher water content and that may account for the fat and calorie deficit.

Florida avocado (Slimcado) vs Hass avocado

Most of the avocados we are bought in the USA are Hass avocados from California and Mexico, which are often labeled California avocados.

But the large Florida avocado is growing in popularities.

Even though California and Florida avocados are different varieties of the same fruit, they have different flavors, textures and applications. There are advantages to each type of avocado, as well as disadvantages. Here are the differences between the two.

Florida avocado vs Hass avocado – How do they taste?

Those who love the full fat flavor of a Hass avocado will complain often about the Slimcado taste. I personally like the sweetness of it, but prefer the richness of a Hass.

The green skin avocados have a lighter tasting flesh with a sweet, buttery taste. Some varieties even taste somewhat nutty.

A Slimcado is often described as having a “neutral” taste – almost like a diluted version of a normal California avocado.

The flavor of a Slimcado is milder than a Hass avocado, which is much more rich tasting due to the fat content.

Florida avocados and California avocados – skin type and pits

The skin of a Florida avocado, or Slimcado, is smooth and light green in color.  It has a very large pit which makes the outer shape more pronounced on the large end.

The Hass avocado has dark green–colored, bumpy skin with a much smaller pit. This can give the avocado a more rounded look.

The Florida avocado has a fibrous flesh compared to the Hass avocado.

Uses of Florida and California avocados:

The two avocados could be used in varying ways. Slimcados might satisfy you in smoothies, but for guacamole, you may prefer to use a Hass avocado.

The richness of the fruit in a Hass avocado makes it easier to mash it.

For those interested in watching their calorie intake, using a Slimcado avocado means you can use more than the traditional California avocado for the same calorie count. So if volume on a plate is your interest, the Slimcado wins every time.

The Slimcado avocados seem to hold their shape better than California avocados when cut into chunks or slices, so they are good in salads and sandwiches.

In short, when you  want the rich creaminess of an avocado, the Florida avocado or Slimcado probably won’t satisfy you. But if you a looking for a way to cut calories and fat and for the avocado to retain its shape then the Slimcado will work just fine.

How long do avocados keep?

A common question with readers is “when is a Slimcado ripe?”

Both types of avocados will turn black quickly when over-ripe, or when the flesh is exposed to air. The skin of a Slimcado remains green even when ripe, whereas a Hass avocado gets darker skin as it ripens.

Keep whole avocados on the counter, not in the fridge to let them ripen more quickly. Once they have been cut, it’s fine to refrigerate them.

It can be difficult to know how ripe a Slimcado is. Light pressure can be used to determine this – the Florida avocado yields to gentle pressure when ripe. Unripe Slimcados are often rock hard.

Due to its larger size, a Florida avocado won’t last as long as a California avocado will.  Once cut open, be sure to use either type of avocado quickly.

Florida avocados and California avocados – prices

Avocado prices have really risen in in recent years by as much as up to 129%. The average national price of a single Hass avocado can cost $2-3. However, many grocery stores have sales on the Hass avocados. I can sometimes get them for $1 each.

The Florida type varies but is at least $1.99.  But it IS a lot bigger, so that is a wash.

Calories of Florida avocado and Hass avocado – Slimcado nutrition facts

How many calories in a Florida avocado? About 28% less than a Hass avocado!

The Slimcado avocado has fewer calories and half the fat but it is also twice the size.

However, one must be careful when considering Slimcado calories. Don’t think that you can eat the whole thing, or the deficit won’t do you a bit of good, and you will have not had the flavor of a Hass avocado.

One of the reasons for the difference in calories is that a Florida avocado has a much higher water content than a California variety. However, more water can mean diluted flavor.

Also, keep in mind that we do need some fat in our diets. The fat in a California avocado is rich in monounsaturated and oleic fatty acids, which helps to control abdominal fat. 

Here is the nutritional breakdown for a similar size of Slimcado vs Hass avocado.

Have you tried the Slimcado? What did you think? Is it good? Horrible? What say you? Please let us know in the comments below.

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Would you like a reminder of this post showing the difference between green avocado and Hass avocado? Just pin this image to one of your foodie boards on Pinterest so that you can easily find it later.

My preference is taste is the Hass avocado. Here is a recipe for guacamole using California avocados that your party guests are sure to love!

Yield: Makes a great party dip

Best Ever Guacamole Recipe

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This recipe for guacamole is the great way to start a party. It is super easy to make and everyone will love to dig in.

Cook Time 10 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour

Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 avocados - peeled, pitted, and mashed
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup diced onion
• 3 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 roma (plum) tomatoes, diced
• 2 tbsp diced chilis
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• 1 pinch ground cayenne pepper
• To serve: Blue Taco chips

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mash together the avocados, lime juice, and salt. Mix in the onion, cilantro, tomatoes, diced chilis, and garlic. Stir in cayenne pepper.
2. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour for best flavor, and then serve immediately with blue taco chips.
3. Best served at room temperature.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

12

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 69Total Fat: 5gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 191mgCarbohydrates: 5gFiber: 3gSugar: 1gProtein: 1g

Nutritional information is approximate due to natural variation in ingredients and the cook-at-home nature of our meals.

Admin note: this post about Florida avocados first appeared on the blog in July of 2013. I have updated the post to add all new photos, and a video for you to enjoy.

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