Maluma — Hass's Creamier, Nuttier South African Cousin

Discovered as a chance seedling in South Africa, Maluma is close enough to Hass to sometimes be sold as "Maluma Hass," but it's worth knowing the differences. The fruit is more pear-shaped with a distinct tapered neck, and the skin is glossy and pebbly, ripening from green to a deep purple-black — one of the few avocados where colour actually is a reliable ripeness clue, much like Hass. Inside, Maluma has a better flesh-to-seed ratio than Hass and a noticeably higher oil content, which translates into a richer, creamier texture and a flavour with faint notes of cashew or almond. It also holds up better once cut, browning more slowly than most varieties — useful if you're prepping ahead. Maluma tends to arrive in markets slightly earlier in the season than Hass, so if you're craving that classic rich avocado taste before Hass season peaks, this is the one to reach for.