Date Posted: 09/16/22
NCP Blog: Pass the Guacamole and Chips
Just in time for the weekend- and football season- we’re here to celebrate National Guacamole Day! Yes, even the popular dip has its own day. And why not?! This delicious, healthy snack is worth celebrating!
Guacamole is always a favorite side dish at our gatherings. It’s easy to make, and everyone loves good dips. It’s one of the most popular foods found at Super Bowl parties, too!
The Scoop on Guac
So where exactly did guacamole come from, and who came up with the idea to mash up avocadoes with other food and eat it? According to Food Origins, the Aztecs first made guacamole in the 16th century, and it was made purely from avocadoes. Did you know avocado is technically a fruit? It also has a very high fat and protein content, which made it very popular in Mesoamerican society.
Guacamole was surprisingly rare in the United States for most of the 20th century because of a ban on Mexican avocado imports. After the ban was lifted in 1997, avocadoes and guacamole became a huge part of American culture. A rise in the Latin American population in the United States has also contributed to the increased popularity of the food.
Fun fact: early English speakers called the fruit “alligator pear” because of the texture of its skin and resemblance to a pear shape! Read more about the history of avocadoes and guacamole here.
Make Your Own Guacamole
Guacamole, or guac, as it’s referred to in my house, is mostly made of mashed avocadoes. You can find a million different recipes for this side dish, but usually it also contains chopped onions, jalapenos, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, lemon juice and a variety of spices to taste. Mix it all together, and voila! You have a tasty dip.
NCP panel members represent consumers all across the country by sharing their shopping experiences and opinions. If you’re not a panel member and you’re interested in joining NCP to share your shopping experiences, earn great rewards, and influence what you see on store shelves, click here or go to the Join NCP section of the blog!
Related:
NCP Blog: Breakfast of Champions (September 14, 2022)