About Avocado
Superfruit from Bay of Plenty
At Sunspire, we believe avocados are one of nature’s most complete fruits — rich in heart-healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients that support wellness from the inside out. Our orchard in Bay of Plenty primarily grows the popular Hass variety, prized for its creamy texture and rich flavour, alongside Ettinger, a larger, smooth-skinned green avocado known for its mild taste and reliable flowering, making it a valuable companion to Hass.
Avocados and Human Health: A Nutrient-Dense Superfruit
Avocados are a nutrient-rich whole food that supports heart, brain, and metabolic health. They are high in monounsaturated fats, especially oleic acid, which helps lower “bad” LDL cholesterol and support “good” HDL cholesterol levels. These healthy fats also reduce inflammation and support long-term cardiovascular health.
They are also an excellent source of dietary fiber, which aids digestion, supports blood sugar control, and promotes satiety. Avocados contain important micronutrients such as potassium, folate, vitamin K, vitamin E, and antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin, which are beneficial for blood pressure, brain health, and eye function.
Because of their fat content, avocados also help the body absorb fat-soluble nutrients from other foods — such as vitamins A, D, E, and K. Studies have shown that regular avocado consumption is linked to improved cholesterol profiles, reduced risk of metabolic syndrome, and better overall diet quality.
In short, avocados offer a unique combination of healthy fats, fiber, and essential nutrients that make them a valuable part of a balanced diet.
Avocado Varieties Grown at Sunspire
At Sunspire Orchard, we cultivate two premium avocado varieties selected for their complementary harvest windows, eating quality, and agronomic performance: Hass and Ettinger.
Hass is the world’s most recognized avocado variety, known for its distinctively nutty flavour, high oil content, and darkening skin when ripe. It has excellent shelf life, making it the preferred choice in commercial markets. Hass matures in mid to late season and represents the core of our current avocado production.
Ettinger, in contrast, is a larger, pear-shaped variety with smooth, bright green skin that remains green when ripe. It offers a mild, creamy texture with lower oil content, making it ideal for consumers seeking a lighter taste. Ettinger flowers earlier than Hass and is also planted as a Type B polliniser, enhancing fruit set and orchard productivity through improved cross-pollination.
Together, these varieties allow Sunspire to produce high-quality fruit across a longer harvest window, while maintaining strong yield consistency and excellent eating characteristics.
