Tomasita's Chips, Salsa and Guacamole

Guacamole Goes Mainstream

The avocado, although savory like a vegetable, is botanically a fruit. Native to south central Mexico, it’s been around for thousands of years. As for guacamole, that was invented by the Aztecs, whose empire was based in Mexico from the 14th to the 16th centuries. Known back then as ‘avocado sauce,’ the original recipe, according to most accounts, consisted of crushed avocados, tomatoes and salt.

Fast forward to 1871, the year avocado trees were brought to California for the first time. Then fast forward again to 1935, when a California postal worker and amateur horticulturalist, Rudolph Hass, patented the avocado that bears his name. The rest, as they say, is history.

The vast majority of avocados sold in the US are now grown in California and over 80% are Hass, whose buttery texture makes it the perfect partner for guacamole. Since that dish has now gone mainstream, its widespread popularity has to be a major factor in pushing sales. On Cinco de Mayo and Super bowl Sunday alone, Americans apparently consume over 30 million lbs. of guacamole.
So popular has the dish become that it even has its own, unofficial national holiday. This year, Guacamole Day will be celebrated on September 16th. And it has also found its way into the Guinness Book of Records. The biggest serving of guacamole was put together in 2013 by 450 high school students in Tancitaro, Mexico. Made with 250lbs. of onions, 705lbs. of tomatoes and 29 gallons of lemon juice, it weighed over 5,885 lbs.

“Eighty percent of success is showing up and eating guac.”
Woody Allen

CRIMES AGAINST GUACAMOLE

  • In 2014, Bon Appetit came out with a recipe for guacamole with chopped celery, claiming that, ‘it will keep your teeth happy.’
  • British department store, Marks and Spencer, has launched brusselmole, a strange version of guacamole made with brussel sprouts. We are not amused.
  • One time Food Network star, George Duran, came out with a recipe for Granny Smith apple guacamole. He claimed that including apples ‘gives it a nice, subtle sweetness that you’ll crave.
  • The New York Times sparked an internet outcry when it published a recipe for guacamole containing mashed green peas. Even President Obama took to social media to respond to that one. ‘Respect the NYT, but not buying peas in guacamole.’

Guacamole Recipe:
Like the chile, we don’t mess with the guacamole!

avocadoes
chopped tomatoes
mild green chile
granulated garlic
onion salt
salt
pepper
lime juice

“I think my wife married me for my guacamole.”
Kyle Maclachlan, actor