Botanists have classified the avocado into three groups or races: A) the West Indian, B) the Mexican, and C) the Guatemalan. In Florida we have the large smooth skinned West Indian type of avocadoes as well as hybrids of Guatemalan crossed with West Indian varieties.

California avocadoes, like Haas and Fuerte, are of the Mexican Race. They require a cool arid climate such as that found in the mountains of Mexico and the foothills of Southern California. Florida's temperature and humidity are not conducive to growing Mexican race avocadoes. This may come as a disappointment to Californians, but consumers worldwide prefer the flavor and texture of the West Indian varieties. In fact, Florida avocadoes have been dubbed the "Lean Cado" for they have half the calories and half the fat of their California counterparts.