The 'Bacon' Avocado Has A Unique Taste Profile

What does an avocado taste like? You might think the answer to this is simple: An avocado tastes like an avocado. No matter if you mash it into a paste or serve it raw, you expect that your avocado will taste just like avocado and nothing else. This isn't to say that avocado doesn't taste like different things to some people, especially considering that people's palettes vary from person to person. Adding to the mix is that different "flavors" of avocado can depend on just how ripe the fruit is when you eat it.

For example, if you notice your guacamole has an odd "fishy" taste to it, this might be because the avocado you used to make it was actually overripe, causing the release of ethylene gas that gives it a musky, fishy taste (via Sweetish Hill). Some individuals have also reportedly described the flavor profile of avocados as being rather bitter if they're unripe, according to LiveStrong. Depending on who you are and how ripe the avocado is, you may find that it may be a different flavor each time. And according to some, there's an avocado that is supposedly named after the popular breakfast food of bacon. This, of course, begs the question: Does it taste like its namesake? 

Sadly for bacon fans, the bacon avocado doesn't actually deliver on the promise its name suggests. So wait: The bacon avocado doesn't taste like bacon? Is this some kind of clickbait trick? While the truth is disappointing — and we apologize if we misled you — the bacon avocado is unique in the fact that it boasts an incredibly complex flavor profile, especially compared to other avocados.

According to Daily Harvest Express, the bacon avocado gets its somewhat misleading name from its original grower, a California man named James Bacon, who first grew it in 1954. While the avocado lacks that trademark bacon taste, it is known to have a complex flavor of "nutty, light, and fruity," alongside a lower fat content. Minneopa Orchards describes the bacon avocado as having a very subtle, if not somewhat sweet flavor; some have even characterized the bacon avocado as comparatively bland when compared to other avocado varieties.

So while there is at least some flavor to the bacon avocado, needless to say, the taste of smokey bacon isn't it. But there's some perk to trying it anyway. According to Specialty Produce, the bacon avocado, unlike its more meaty namesake, is actually lower in oil than the Hass avocado, its more popular relative. This makes the bacon avocado a good choice for someone looking to enjoy a low-fat option without sacrificing flavor.

If you're interested in trying a bacon avocado for yourself — if not just to say that you did — where would exactly would you go to find one? When are they in season? Can you just head down to your local Walmart or Whole Foods and pick one up, or do you have to make a special order?

According to SF Gate, bacon avocados are known for ripening between November and March, though the best time for them to be picked depends heavily on the weather of the region. As FruitStand notes, the bacon avocado is a mix of avocado varietals whose origins can be found in Mexico, but it thrives in its native Southern California region — with said region being the biggest producer of the bacon avocado variety. But you don't have to live in the Golden State to procure a bacon avocado: You can order these fruits from producers like Four Winds Growers or Frog Hollow Farm when they are in season. If you really want to put some bacon in the bacon avocado, you can follow this avocado bacon toast recipe in order to really bring both the bacon and the avocado to your plate.