The Ancient History of Chocolate

A journey through the history of chocolate revealsbut helped Cortes realize that this crop had
that this mysterious food has woven its storytremendous potential led him to establish cacao
throughout multiple cultures and continents impactingplantations throughout the Caribbean.When Columbus
civilizations culturally, socially, economically andand Cortes returned to Spain the bitter cacao drink
spiritually. A study of the history of chocolate beginsof the Aztec culture was introduced to Europe and
by going back in time to the realm of the Mayathere it was sweetened to make it more in tune to
Indians and the Olmec Civilizations of Centralthe European tastes. It became a drink of the elite
America.The word cacao was found in the Olmecand wealthy. Within ten years, chocolate was
vocabulary nearly 3,000 years ago. The hot, humid,enjoyed throughout the courts in the French
but shady climate of the tropical rain forests of thisaristocracy. Chocolate became known throughout the
region was perfect for growing cacao plants. Thecountries of Europe and in the middle of the 17th
Maya felt the cacao tree was owned by the godscentury chocolate appeared in England. There it was
and the pods were offered as a gift from the godshighly taxed continuing its reputation as a luxury to
to man. The cacao pod became the symbol ofbe enjoyed only by those privileged enough to afford
fertility and life in the Mayan culture.Later, in the 18thit.Cacao was primarily only for drinking until 1828.
century, a Swedish botanist named Linnaeus, calledChocolate was prepared as a drink by grinding up the
the cacao tree theobroma cacao, which means "drinkbeans into a thin paste and adding spices and
of the gods". It was the Mayan people that didsweetening and then adding something to soak up
indeed make a drink from the cacao pods. This drinkthe cocoa butter, which would float to the
was considered a "royal" brew enjoyed by thesurface.Coenraad J. Van Houten, a Dutch chemist in
noblemen and kings and was often used in sacredthat year invented a press which would release the
rituals. Hot chili peppers were added to flavor it orcocoa butter from the bean, leaving the dryer cake
maize was often added to change its texture.In 1502,that could be ground up into a powder similar to the
Columbus, on his 4th and final voyage to thefat-free cocoa powder we enjoy today.Twenty
Caribbean, was given a sack of cacao seeds as ayears later European companies used the presses
form of payment. He was unsure of the worth ofmade by Van Houten to produce the first eating
the seeds, so the Aztecs made him a drink from thechocolate. By taking what was left after separating
pods to show him its potential. They felt this drinkthe cocoa powder from the butter, the industry saw
was a source of energy, spiritual wisdom, andthat they could melt the cocoa butter and combine it
enhanced sexual powers. They used it to fortify theirwith a blend of ground cacao beans and sugar, mix
warriors when in battle. Although Columbus did notthis into a paste and mold it. Edible chocolate was the
personally care for it, he accepted the seeds infinal product. Chocolate appeared on the market in
payment, being curious as to its value upon returningthe United States around the turn of the twentieth
to Spain.Years later, when Cortes arrived in the Newcentury and now nearly one hundred years later is
World, he noted that the Aztecs used the cacaostill in harmony with all who love it's unique, rich
beans as their treasury and kept huge storehousestaste.Jane S. Roseen became the sole Owner and
of the seeds. Cortes was offered a cacao plantationPresident of Harmony Sweets in 2005. Since then she
and a royal welcome from the Aztec rulerhas taken a small, successful online gourmet
Montezuma, when he mistakenly thought Cortes waschocolate shop and made it a name recognized
the reincarnation of a former god and king. This wasworld-wide.
the beginning of the downfall of the Aztec Empire,