Last week I was up in Sanford visiting with friends Kattia, Chris and Holden. Kattia knows I’m a big fan of Whole Foods, and took me to visit the store at Winter Park.
The first thing I saw when I walked in through the front door was a heap of Florida avocados. They looked suspiciously familiar. I peered closer and saw the sign: Bee Heaven Farm, Homestead FL. “Kattia, look! Margie’s avocados!” I shouted, astonished by the presence of Redland raised Hardee and Donnie avocados. (One Hardee was starting to ripen and showed dark red streaks. It will turn burgundy red when it is completely ripe.)
The fruits were right under a spotlight and their green skins glowed in the light. They made the California Haas avocados stacked behind them look dark, drab and unremarkable by comparison. I pulled out my camera to take a picture. Kattia and her son Holden made theselves scarce over by the bulk bins, and the employee stacking produce looked at me with curiosity.
I then noticed mamey stacked nearby, and looked more closely. The sign said Health and Happiness Farm, Homestead FL. “Kattia, look! Sal’s mamey is here too!” Next to the mamey were sapodillas from Kopali Organics, also from Homestead. I looked around and didn’t see my friends. Gee, you just can’t take me anywhere… But Redland fruit travels everywhere!
I just ate an avocado named “1862 Redland”. Holy God, it was delicious. If I remember from my years living in Florida, it’s not quite the season for this fruit. I surely hope that I can find more of them. Kudos, Redland!
Glad you liked it! Where are you located? Curious to know how far the fruit traveled.
Yes, it is the season for avocados, and it started about a month ago. Depending on the variety, the season runs through Nov-Dec. The Donnie variety is in season now, could be that or a couple others. Was it large and have a smooth green skin that peeled off easily?
The 1862 Redland avocado truly is from Redland FL, and is a brand/label raised and shipped by Fresh King, one of the big growers in the area.