Chapter 1
The Aztec Sacred Sauce
Chapter 2
The Great Avocado Voyage
Chapter 3
The Modern Guac Explosion
YOUR GOAL
Master of The history of guacamole
Ch 2 · The Great Avocado Voyage
adriizh The Guacamole Story
In ancient Aztec lands, With avocados in their hands, They made 'ahuacamolli', The sauce we love so grand!
streetspirit Discover how your favorite green dip, guacamole, connects the world. Explore this educational infographic on food history and global trade supply chains.
streetspirit See how limes, cilantro, and avocados traveled the globe to meet. Explore the fascinating history behind your favorite guacamole ingredients now!
Fun Fact
Global Guacamole: Cilantro and onions, staple ingredients today, actually traveled from Asia and Europe to join the native Mexican avocado in the 1500s!
Glossary
avocado (noun)
A creamy, green fruit whose modern English name evolved from the ancient Aztec word ahuacatl. Since the native word was a bit of a tongue-twister for European explorers, it was adapted over centuries of travel from aguacate into the name we put on our toast today.
A creamy, green fruit whose modern English name evolved from the ancient Aztec word ahuacatl. Since the native word was a bit of a tongue-twister for European explorers, it was adapted over centuries of travel from aguacate into the name we put on our toast today.
Quiz
During early global voyages, explorers struggled to transport avocado seeds to new countries because the seeds are 'recalcitrant.' What does this botanical term mean?
Quiz
When European explorers first brought avocado seeds back from the Americas, they found it very difficult to cultivate the trees in Europe. What was the primary reason for this struggle?
Quiz
When Spanish explorers first encountered avocados in Mesoamerica, they found the native Nahuatl word 'ahuacatl' difficult to pronounce. Which Spanish word did these explorers create as a simplified version of the Nahuatl name?
streetspirit Sailors actually used avocados as butter because they didn't spoil at sea.
Quiz
During long sea voyages in the 17th and 18th centuries, why did European sailors highly value the avocado, earning it the nickname 'midshipman's butter'?
Quiz
While the original Aztec version of guacamole featured ingredients native to the Americas like avocados, tomatoes, and chili peppers, which of these popular ingredients was introduced later from Europe and Asia?