Published July 1, 2002. From Cook's Illustrated.
Is store-bought guacamole an option?
At the heart of any good guacamole is a ripe Haas avocado. Grown primarily in California and Mexico, these small, rough-skinned gems usually soften if left on the counter for a few days. But it can be hard to find fully ripened avocados for a spur-of-the-moment guacamole. Wondering if any of the ready-made guacamole at the supermarket would be an acceptable substitute, we tasted five leading brands to compare them with our own recipe.
At first glance, some of these guacamoles looked pretty good. But after sampling just a bite or two, tasters gagged, sealing the fate of these pretenders. By comparison, our freshly made guacamole tasted almost angelic, with a pure, honest avocado flavor. So if you think the mood might strike, buy some avocados a few days ahead.
