Before you mash your avocado make sure it's ripe. To know whether your avocado is ripe give it a little squeeze. If the avocado has no give and feels hard to the touch, it's not ready to eat. If it's firm yet a little soft when you give it a squeeze, it's ready to be eaten. Step 1: Cut the avocado in half using a sharp knife to pierce the skin, going all the way around the whole avocado until you reach the pit in the middle. Give it a little turn in opposite directions to separate the two halves. Step 2: You’ll have two halves with the pit in one half. To remove the pit, use a spoon to scoop the pit out of the avocado half. (This is also when having an avocado tool comes in handy.) Step 3: Using a knife score the avocado lengthwise and then horizontally create small chunks. Scoop the chucks out of the avocado with a spoon into a medium-size bowl. Step 4: Squeeze about 1 tablespoon of lime juice on top of the chunks of avocado. This will help it stay green longer without browning. Step 5: Using a fork or potato masher mash the avocado to the consistency you desire. Some people like their guacamole chunky, others like it smooth like a spread.