Guacamole is an avocado-based relish or dip originating in Mexico. In addition to avocados, the basic ingredients are lime or lemon juice, and salt. Variations often include tomato or tomatillo, chiles, onion, cilantro, garlic, and other spices. It is usually eaten with tortilla chips, although it can be spooned onto or into almost any savory Mexican dish. The name guacamole comes from Mexican Spanish via Nahuatl AhuacamOlli, from Ahuacatl (="avocado") + mOlli (="sauce"). In Spanish it is pronounced IPA [wakaˈmole] and in English it is pronounced or sometimes in British English [ˌgwækəˈməʊli].

Wherever avocados are expensive, guacamole is considered a delicacy; therefore, tomatoes, sour cream, mayonnaise, or cottage cheese may be mixed in as a filler, but such preparations are often considered inferior because they dilute and mask the delicate flavor of the avocado. Mexicans sometimes refer to diluted guacamole often served in low-cost taquerías as "aguamole", a portmanteau of Spanish 'agua' ('water') and guacamole. Fresh peeled Avocados that are then put into a bowl is called guacamole. Usually you smash up the fruit with a knife or fork. To keep guacamole or open Avocados from discoloring or oxidizing, you may apply an acidic juice such as lime. Lemon juice can be put on guacamole to retain freshness before it is placed in the refridgerator.

It is especially popular in the United States as a snack food, especially around holidays. Cinco de Mayo, Fourth of July, Super Bowl Sunday, and Easter each account for around 5% of annual avocado sales.

External links

• California Avocado Commission press release about consumer avocado consumption