Choquette avocados feature a mild flavor and silky flesh that makes them perfect for slicing. Large sizes of up to three pounds make them a popular choice.
Also called the Florida avocado, the Choquette avocado is a cross between Guatemalan and West Indian varieties. It was first developed in Miami in the 1930s by Remi D. Choquette Sr., for whom the variety is named. This variety can grow to heights of about 30 feet but are easier to maintain when pruned and kept at about 20 feet.
The Choquette tree prefers warmer temperatures and grows best in zones 9 – 10, including the southernmost areas of the U.S., primarily California, Texas, and Florida. While the plant is somewhat cold-tolerant, it prefers total sun exposure and won’t fare well at temperatures below about 25°F. Placing a Choquette tree in shade may slow growth and productivity.
Choquette avocados can grow to about six inches and weigh as much as about three pounds when mature. They feature smooth, glossy, medium-tone green skin on the thicker side. The flesh is pale yellow when ripe. Even though Choquettes have a relatively silky consistency, they are a watery variety, similar to many others grown in Florida.
Choquette avocado trees are known for their yellowish-green blossoms and are also particularly fragrant. Their sweet scent has a bit of pineapple appeal. This late-blooming plant won’t produce mature fruit until about October, with harvest lasting through December and into January, in some cases.
As with most avocado trees, well-drained soil is paramount for good plant health, and you should avoid heavy clay. A high water table can also prove problematic. When planting in Florida or other regions with such issues, it’s best to build a mound of about one to two feet high and about three to five feet around the tree using loose but not sandy soil. Maintaining the soil’s pH levels around 6 – 6.5 is best.
Choquette avocados need full sun to flourish, and young plants should be watered two to three times a week and lightly fertilized quarterly. Mature plants require a deep root soaking about once a week, leaving time for the roots to dry between watering. Fertilizing with nitrogen should occur annually.
For best fruit production, plant near other avocado trees to promote cross-pollination. However, make sure to maintain enough distance that plants can spread without shading each other.
Choquette Avocado Fruit and Harvesting
Choquette trees may start to bear fruit within one to two years of planting, but early harvests are unlikely to produce tasty, ripe avocados. As the tree grows and matures, the avocados will develop a mild, buttery, and slightly nutty flavor. Avocados are ripe when they’re somewhat soft to the touch.
This variety of avocado is on the watery side, and you may notice some leaking when you cut into it. It’s not the best choice for smashed recipes like guacamole or avocado toast. However, the silky and relatively firm flesh makes it ideal for slicing or cubing.
Choquette avocados are well-suited to use in salads and pasta dishes or as a topping for sandwiches or burgers. To preserve the remaining flesh, seal in an airtight container and keep soaked in a mixture of two parts extra virgin olive oil to one part lemon or lime juice. It should remain fresh for about two weeks without oxidation.
Choquette Avocado Advice
When it comes to avocado trees that bear heavy fruit, like the Choquette variety, it’s best to keep the height at no more than about 20 feet. This helps to promote growth on lower branches, making picking easier. In addition, regular pruning throughout the year is essential to prevent heavy limbs from breaking.
When planting, avoid clay-type soils as their tendency to retain moisture could lead to root rot. This is one of the most common problems for avocado plants, so be careful not to overwater. Choquettes like nitrogen-rich soil, and nitrogen and zinc fertilizer should be added to the soil in spring. The second application of nitrogen could be added in summer.
Adding ample mulch around the tree can help to minimize chances for root rot and fungus to fester. Choquettes tend to be relatively resistant to disease, but brown mites can be a problem. Powdered sulfur can help to keep these pests at bay.
FAQs
Is the Choquette Avocado a Fruit?
Yes! The avocado is a fruit (a berry) that features soft flesh and a seed.
When Can I Expect the Tree to Start Producing Fruit?
Choquette trees may produce avocados within about one to two years of planting, but early harvests will lack flavor. Later harvests will deliver avocados with a mild, nutty flavor.
How Much Fruit Does a Mature Choquette Avocado Tree Produce?
The average mature tree yields anywhere from about 200 to 300 avocados a year, although it’s not uncommon to see a small crop follow a larger one.
What Nutritional Value Does the Choquette Avocado Offer?
Because these avocados are so large, a little goes a long way. Whole fruit can provide about 40% of your daily recommended value of fiber, as well as about 30% folate and 20% vitamins C and E. This avocado tends to be lower in oil than other varieties, but it still offers healthy monounsaturated fat.
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