The History Of Chocolate
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Chocolate comes from the cacao tree. The cacao tree has soft pulp, cacao seeds inside which are removed then fermented and later roasted. The cacao tree originally came from the Mesoamerican natives of South American people who made a bitter chocolate drink. They would add water, vanilla, chilli pepper and cornmeal. Even today Mexican people drink chocolate drinks in this traditional state!
The seed of the cacao tree was first discovered by the Mayans over 3,000 years ago.
During the 1400’s the Mayans took the cacao tree from the rainforest area to their own villages so they could grow them locally in their own gardens. They would harvest the cacao seeds, roasting them then grinding the beans into a paste. Chocolate drinks were highly favored by royalty and used in religious ceremonies. Priests presented cacao as offerings to the Gods and would serve the drink during sacred ceremonies.
It is believed that the word “chocolate” is derived from the Aztec word Nehuatl the word “chocolatl” which translated means, sour or bitter. The word “atl” meaning water or drink.
During the Spanish conquest Hernando Cortez saw the value of the cacao seed and used it as a food and as a currency.
The Aztecs used cacao beans as payment tax. As they conquered many Mayan cities and imposed a tax based on harvesting cacao.
During the 1500’s it wasn’t until after the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs that cacao beans were first imported. Europeans did not take well to the spiced chocolate drink, instead they added milk and sugar to create a sweeter flavor.
The Spanish mixed the beans with sugar, vanilla, cloves, nutmeg and spices cinnamon. This treasured drink was reserved for the Spanish nobility kept it from the res of the world for almost 100 years.
In 1643 chocolate was introduced to the French royalty and it was extremely popular with the King Louis. He also saw the value in chocolate and went on to encourage mass manufacture chocolate industry and sold chocolate for huge sums of money making handsome profits.
Iin 1755 chocolate was brought to the United States. It was due to the advent of the industrial revolution that finally made chocolate more affordable to the masses.
In 1830 a British chocolate maker developed the chocolate bar for eating making it a popular candy throughout Europe.
During the early 1900’s John Cadbury produced the beginnings of the chocolate bar.
In 1870’s the Swiss invented conching as means of refining chocolate to give it the smooth texture we enjoy today. Now everyone rich and not so rich can enjoy chocolate worldwide!
