Avocados have become a staple in UK supermarkets, but choosing the right one can be a gamble. A taste test across four major retailers found notable differences in quality, ripeness and price — and one avocado arrived with visible mould before it could even be sliced open.
Price and ripeness vary between stores
Sainsbury's, Morrisons and Tesco all priced their avocados at £1.50 for two ripe and ready ones, while Co-op charged £2 for a twin pack. Sainsbury's also offered a single large avocado at 95p and a medium one at 69p, while Morrisons had no smaller option.
The Sainsbury's avocado was a decent size and ripened to a preferred level, though it was not recommended for more than a day or two in the fridge. It was smooth, easy to slice and spread, and delivered a classic avocado flavour, enjoyed on toast with red pepper flakes.
Morrisons matches Sainsbury's, Tesco disappoints
Morrisons delivered quality, ripeness and size broadly comparable to Sainsbury's. Both proved equally delightful whether spread on toast, tossed through a salad, or whizzed into a sauce, and both came at a reasonably fair price.
Tesco's avocados proved to be something of a lottery. The first was perfectly adequate, but the second developed what appeared to be mould on the skin by day two, despite Tesco's website claiming they should last two or more days in the fridge. It was binned rather than sliced open to check whether it was still green.
Co-op costs more but lacks flavour
Co-op's avocados came in 50p dearer than competitors at £2 for a twin pack. Despite the higher price tag suggesting superior quality, the Co-op avocado was somewhat lacking in flavour and noticeably more stringy than the rest. It was a decent size and suitably ripe, so there was little to grumble about — particularly given the Tesco debacle.
