From a botanical point of view, the avocado fruit is classified as a berry (Storey et al., 1973/1974) comprising a single seed and a pericarp. The pericarp is further divided into exocarp (skin), mesocarp (flesh, edible portion) and the thin layer around the seed coat, the endocarp (Fig.3.1). Fruit characteristics including size and skin texture vary considerably among the races (Knight, 1980).