In recent decades, guacamole has grown in popularity among nationals and foreigners thanks to its versatility, flavor, and great texture.
Although our country is the main producer, exporter, and consumer of the raw material, the avocado, it was the United States that decreed that September 16 of each year be commemorated as International Guacamole Day.
To honor this delicious sauce, we bring you some interesting facts about guacamole and its main ingredient: avocado.
Number 1 avocado fan
For more than a century, our northern neighbor has been a major consumer of avocado, but the supply was interrupted by a ban imposed on imports that lasted 87 years (1914-1997), as it was considered a risk to agriculture.
Fortunately for them, in 1926, German-born American Rudolph Hass grafted a seed onto different varieties of avocado until he achieved a fruit that was better than the original, thus giving birth to the Hass variety, known for its creaminess. To perpetuate his discovery, he obtained a patent to have exclusive rights to his invention.
The record that everyone wants to break
In 2017, Jalisco set out to break the Guinness Record for the largest guacamole in the world and succeeded by preparing 2,980 kilos of green sauce. Michoacán, the main producer, did not want to be left behind and surpassed the record in 2018.
Unexpectedly, just one year later, the United States snatched the victory from us with a guacamole that weighed over 4 thousand kilos. Finally, on November 20, 2022, the grand title was won by the municipality of Peribán, Michoacán, by preparing a guacamole that weighed a total of 4,972 kilos.
Space guacamole
Scientists at the University of Queensland in Australia have used the same cryopreservation technique used to freeze sperm and eggs on avocado sprouts to ensure the survival of this precious ingredient in the event of future space colonization.
Incidentally, guacamole was one of the first foods to travel into space aboard Apollo 11 in 1969. In 2021, Space X, the space travel company led by Elon Musk, launched a ship bound for the International Space Station with supplies, including avocado and lemon for the seven astronauts on the space station to enjoy. The first space guacamole was surely prepared.
Other curiosities
- Avocado consumption in Mexico is, on average, 11 kg per person, while in the United States, it is around 3.5 kg per year.
- Although that country produces avocado in three states, 80% of production in Mexico is destined to cover the demand of our neighbors.
- During the Super Bowl, nearly 35,000 tons of guacamole are consumed and the company Avocados from Mexico is one of the major advertisers of this sporting event.
- As you have seen, there is much to say about this food that has delighted palates beyond our borders. Now all that’s left is to celebrate its day with your favorite recipe.