Recently, a photo of an avocado nearly as long as a human arm went viral.
“These long green fruits are actually avocados,” said Rane Roatta, who co-founded Miami Fruit with his partner Edelle Schlegel. According to Roatta, farmers in Miami grow hundreds of varieties year-round. Even though they only recently garnered mainstream attention, these unusually long avocados have been sold by Miami Fruit for years.
Avocado aficionados consider these long neck avocados — as they’re unofficially called — to be of the Pura Vida variety. Pura Vida avocado trees bear gourd-shaped fruit averaging 18 inches in length. Some, however, can grow up to 3 feet long.
Long neck avocados are usually available from mid to late summer. In fact, the last day to order a box from Miami Fruit is today, Aug. 14. But don’t be too bummed if you miss the deadline. “They are available to pre-order for next season,” said Roatta. (But, unfortunately, if you live in California, the USDA prohibits avocado shipments from Florida.)