Avocado
Brogden
History
Grown from a seed planted in the 1930s by Tom W. Brogden of Winter Haven, Florida, likely a Mexican x West Indian cross. Recognized by the Florida State Horticultural Society in 1951 for its cold hardiness after a seedling reportedly survived a North Carolina winter.
Taste profile
Rich, nutty flavor with higher oil content than typical Florida avocados - closer in richness to a Hass than to thin, watery West Indian types.
Growing habits
Type B flowering; vigorous, upright tree, among the most cold-hardy avocados grown in Florida, tolerating temperatures down to around 20 degrees F. Thin, easily bruised skin limited its commercial potential despite the flavor.
Shipping
Does not ship well. Thin skin bruises easily, which kept it out of commercial shipping channels - best suited to home use and local sale.