Guacamole
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Guacamole (called guacamol in Central America and Cuba) is an avocado-based relish or dip.
Of Aztec origin, it was originally valued for its high fat and vitamin content. Guacamole was originally made by mashing the avocado with a molcajete (a type of mortar and pestle) and adding tomatoes and salt. After the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors, guacamole became popular in Spain. Since avocados failed to grow well in Spain guacamole remained an American food.
The name guacamole comes from Mexican Spanish via Nahuatl ahuacamolli, from ahuacatl (="avocado") + molli (="sauce"). In Spanish it is pronounced /ɣʷakaˈmole/; in American English it is pronounced /ˌgwɑkəˈmoʊli/ or sometimes in British English /ˌgwækəˈməʊli/.
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[edit] Ingredients
Ripe avocados, minced tomatoes, and salt are common to most recipes. Lime or lemon juice is often added for flavor and to slow the reaction of the enzyme that causes browning. Other common ingredients include black pepper and minced red onion, chili pepper, garlic, cumin, cilantro or coriander, and worcester sauce.[1]. Some add sour cream as a filler.
[edit] Commercial guacamole
There are many types of pre-made guacamole available in stores. Fresh guacamole is available and is often available refrigerated. The non-fresh guacamole most like fresh is preserved by freezing or sometimes high pressure packaging. Other non-fresh preparations need higher levels of fillers and artificial preservatives to be shelf stable.
One of the world's largest food companies, Kraft Foods, came under fire with consumer complaints and lawsuits regarding Kraft's commercial guacamole[2]. The main issue was that Kraft's guacamole contained less than 2 percent avocado and contains hydrogenated oils and artificial colors to try to approximate the consistency and color of avocados. In response to this, consumer health advocate Mike Adams called it Kraft's "avocado-free guacamole" and said "Avocado should be the main ingredient in guacamole. I recommend that people get avocado dip from places that actually use avocado as the main ingredient".[3]
[edit] References
[edit] External links
- California Avocado Commission press release about consumer avocado consumption
- Guacamole recipes (from California)
- Guacamole Recipe - from Simply Recipes
- Video tutorial on how to prepare guacamole
- Video recipe of guacamole
- How to Cut and Peel an Avocado
- Guacamole Recipes
- Guacamole Video Recipe
- Guacamole
