The green avocado is a type of avocado that is less common in the world than its counterpart, the black avocado. However, the black avocado is by far the most popular and widely consumed type of avocado. It accounts for 80 percent of all avocados cultivated in the whole world. While the black color on avocados sometimes does happen as a result of the fruit ripening, other types of cultivated avocados do remain green in color as they get ripe. There really aren't that many differences between green avocados and black ones.
The Green Avocado
The green avocado is not as common or popular as the black avocado, but it is still bred by quite a few growers. Among the types of avocados, the Gwen, Pinkerton and Reed varieties are the most popular. All of these avocado varieties actually stay green as they ripen, and varieties like the Pinkerton display favorable peeling characteristics. As far as great flavors are concerned, the Gwen variety stands out among the green avocados as one with a real nutty and rich flavor. The green avocado is a mixed bag when it comes to health properties. While it is low in sodium and high in both vitamin C and dietary fiber, its distinct downside comes on the issue of calories and carbohydrates, which are both very high. For example, just one cup of this avocado already hits you with 276 calories, which is more than some doughnuts.
The Black Avocado
The black avocado is the type of avocado that is the most common, and that is primarily the handiwork of one Rudolph Hass, an amateur horticulturist and mail carrier from California. His surname serves as the name by which many black avocados are referred to these days--the Hass avocado. This kind of avocado is easily identified by its pebbled, black skin color; this avocado also gets blacker when it gets riper. The Hass avocado can be very easily characterized by its distinctively rich, nutty flavor. Health-wise, this type of avocado is quite similar to the green avocado, with its sodium content and levels of dietary fiber and vitamin C all being favorable. However, on the issue of calories and carbohydrates, again, just one black avocado is quite costly, particularly on the issue of calories.
Which is Better?
It is not really a question of which avocado between the green and the black is better; it is really more about preference and, beyond that, availability. Since the black or Hass avocado is the one that is available most commonly, you may not get a choice in the matter, as your local grocery store probably has that as opposed to other types of green avocados. Both the green and black avocado come out to the same health benefits and disadvantages, so there really isn't much difference between the two.
