What is guacamole made of?
Guacamole is made of mashed ripe avocados mixed with lime juice, salt, onion, cilantro and chili. Tomatoes are often added too.
The key to good guacamole is ripe avocados that give slightly when pressed. They are cut in half, the pit is removed and the flesh is mashed, traditionally in a stone mortar called a molcajete. Lime juice adds flavor and slows browning. Finely chopped onion, fresh cilantro and green chili, such as jalapeño or serrano, add freshness and heat.
Guacamole is served as a dip with tortilla chips and as a topping for tacos, burritos and nachos. Recipes vary widely. Some people add tomato or garlic, while purists prefer a simple mix of avocado, lime, salt and chili.
An ancient dish
Guacamole dates back to the Aztecs in what is now Mexico. The name comes from the Nahuatl word ahuacamolli, meaning avocado sauce. Mexico is the world's largest avocado producer, and huge amounts of guacamole are eaten in the United States around the Super Bowl.
Did You Know?
To keep leftover guacamole green, press plastic wrap directly onto its surface to block air, since contact with oxygen causes browning.