The Ancient History of Chocolate

A journey through the history of chocolatedownfall of the Aztec Empire, but helped Cortes
reveals that this mysterious food has woven itsrealize that this crop had tremendous potential led
story throughout multiple cultures and continentshim to establish cacao plantations throughout the
impacting civilizations culturally, socially,Caribbean.When Columbus and Cortes returned to
economically and spiritually. A study of the historySpain the bitter cacao drink of the Aztec culture
of chocolate begins by going back in time to thewas introduced to Europe and there it was
realm of the Maya Indians and the Olmecsweetened to make it more in tune to the
Civilizations of Central America.The word cacaoEuropean tastes. It became a drink of the elite
was found in the Olmec vocabulary nearly 3,000and wealthy. Within ten years, chocolate was
years ago. The hot, humid, but shady climate ofenjoyed throughout the courts in the French
the tropical rain forests of this region was perfectaristocracy. Chocolate became known throughout
for growing cacao plants. The Maya felt the cacaothe countries of Europe and in the middle of the
tree was owned by the gods and the pods were17th century chocolate appeared in England. There
offered as a gift from the gods to man. Theit was highly taxed continuing its reputation as a
cacao pod became the symbol of fertility and lifeluxury to be enjoyed only by those privileged
in the Mayan culture.Later, in the 18th century, aenough to afford it.Cacao was primarily only for
Swedish botanist named Linnaeus, called the cacaodrinking until 1828. Chocolate was prepared as a
tree theobroma cacao, which means "drink of thedrink by grinding up the beans into a thin paste
gods". It was the Mayan people that did indeedand adding spices and sweetening and then adding
make a drink from the cacao pods. This drinksomething to soak up the cocoa butter, which
was considered a "royal" brew enjoyed by thewould float to the surface.Coenraad J. Van
noblemen and kings and was often used in sacredHouten, a Dutch chemist in that year invented a
rituals. Hot chili peppers were added to flavor it orpress which would release the cocoa butter from
maize was often added to change its texture.Inthe bean, leaving the dryer cake that could be
1502, Columbus, on his 4th and final voyage toground up into a powder similar to the fat-free
the Caribbean, was given a sack of cacao seedscocoa powder we enjoy today.Twenty years
as a form of payment. He was unsure of thelater European companies used the presses made
worth of the seeds, so the Aztecs made him aby Van Houten to produce the first eating
drink from the pods to show him its potential.chocolate. By taking what was left after
They felt this drink was a source of energy,separating the cocoa powder from the butter,
spiritual wisdom, and enhanced sexual powers.the industry saw that they could melt the cocoa
They used it to fortify their warriors when inbutter and combine it with a blend of ground
battle. Although Columbus did not personally carecacao beans and sugar, mix this into a paste and
for it, he accepted the seeds in payment, beingmold it. Edible chocolate was the final product.
curious as to its value upon returning toChocolate appeared on the market in the United
Spain.Years later, when Cortes arrived in the NewStates around the turn of the twentieth century
World, he noted that the Aztecs used the cacaoand now nearly one hundred years later is still in
beans as their treasury and kept hugeharmony with all who love it's unique, rich
storehouses of the seeds. Cortes was offered ataste.Jane S. Roseen became the sole Owner and
cacao plantation and a royal welcome from thePresident of Harmony Sweets in 2005. Since then
Aztec ruler Montezuma, when he mistakenlyshe has taken a small, successful online gourmet
thought Cortes was the reincarnation of a formerchocolate shop and made it a name recognized
god and king. This was the beginning of theworld-wide.