Did you know that guacamole is now so popular that September 16th has become a national day to celebrate this versatile avocado mixture?
At El Chubby’s Fresh Mexican Grill in Aurora, we make fresh guacamole from ripe avocados and our special blend of delicious spices. Our goal is to not only satisfy our customers but honor the origins of guacamole.
Centuries of Avojoyment
It’s believed that guacamole dates all the way back to the 1500s when the Aztecs of Mexico created a popular saucy green spread using the same ingredients that we enjoy today.
They called it ahuaca-mulli which means an avocado mixture or avocado sauce. The word guacamole that’s more commonly used today is likely derived from a language in Central Mexico called Nahuatl where it was pronounced waka’mole and huaka’mole.
Of course, it’s become such a part of our everyday vernacular that we’ve now shortened it to “guac”.
As for the Aztecs, they loved guacamole and believed it to be a natural aphrodisiac. It also contains more natural mono-saturated fat and protein than other fruits so it was very important to their health.
In case you were wondering, avocados have almost 20 vitamins and minerals. They can also help manage heart problems and cholesterol for some people. So, besides tasting good, guacamole is also good for you. Feel free to order extra on the side next time you come to El Chubby’s!
The Influence of the Spaniards
Beyond these origins of guacamole, the Spaniards fell in love with guacamole when they encountered the Aztec people during their explorations of the New World.
Unfortunately, when they got back home to Spain, they couldn’t make guacamole because avocados didn’t grow in Europe at the time. They tried substitutions but it really wasn’t the same.
Thanks to modern modes of transportation, avocados have since made their way across the Atlantic, bestowing more people with the ability to enjoy guacamole on their tacos, burritos and of course, chips!
Modern Day Love for Guacamole
Now, fast forward to the 1940s when guacamole recipes were finally published and became more widely known. In the 1960s, marketing and advertising campaigns inaccurately tried to associate the avocado with the Pacific Islands.
Finally, in the 1970s, people in the United States regularly began to serve guacamole with Spanish and Mediterranean foods.
These days, guacamole is served with many different types of food besides Spanish and Mediterranean dishes, but there are two particular times a year where everyone in the United States goes wild for yummy guacamole.
On Cinco de Mayo and Super Bowl Sundayguacamole is made in abundance and enjoyed by millions here in the United States and beyond. And we agree, it’s just not a party without the rich and unique flavor only guacamole can deliver.
So, the next time you dip your chips or taquitos into guacamole at El Chubby’s Fresh Mexican Grill in Aurora, think about the origins of guacamole! And be thankful that you’re not like those poor Spanish explorers who only got a taste of the Aztec’s delicious guacamole before having to go home without it. Qué lástima!