Greencell has launched West Indian avocado variety Carla into Waitrose stores this week.
The company, which has previously said it is developing new ‘gourmet avocado’ varieties, said Carla arrived into limited Waitrose stores this week, under the ‘Caribbean’ label.
Carla is a large green-skinned avocado with yellow flesh and a higher water content than typical Mexican or Guatemalan varieties, according to the company’s NPD manager, Matthew Churchill.
Selling at £5 each in Waitrose and grown in the Dominican Republic, the Carla avocado can be split in half and used as a ‘natural bowl’ to serve salad, shared at a meal, or used in other recipes, Churchill added.
“It’s about delivering that diversity of choice to consumers, and at the same time delighting them,' he said.
Churchill was speaking at today’s Fresh Careers Fair, held at the Kia Oval in central London, where Greencell and parent company Westfalia were exhibitors.
As well as Carla, the Westfalia stand featured the novel ‘avocado oil’ product, a byproduct from avocado orchards that launched at UK retailers two years ago, before being delisted.
“The oil may have been ahead of the curve in the UK last time around, but we are now in conversations about whether we can bring this back,” said Churchill.
“It has a high smoke point so it’s great for streaks, as well as salads and dressings,” he added.
Westfalia was also offering visiting students the chance to win an avocado rucksack and two bottles of avocado oil by entering a prize draw.
Another big draw to the stand were the popular avocado macaroons, developed by Westfalia in-house development chefs. The macaroons are not available commercially but used for events and customer visits.
As a first time exhibitor at the fair, Churchill said Westfalia was looking to gauge the response from graduates, and said the stand had been very busy all day. “There’s not enough young enthusiasm coming into the industry. You can travel the world and see the farms – there’s so much to be promoted,” he said.
