Chocolate History

FOOD OF THE GODS

The Aztecs of Mexico called cacao beans “ THE FOOD OF THE GODS ”.

Theobroma is Greek for “Food of The Gods”,”Theo” is God and “Broma” Food, and the common name “xocoatl” or “tchocoatl”is taken from the Aztec and Maya languages, meaning bitter water.

Aztec and Toltec considered cacao to be man's inheritance from “Quetzalcoalt”, the God of moon and the air. The Mexican legend of “Quetzalcoalt”, tells that he powerfully ruled the Toltec and Aztec people. These civilizations were very rich, but cacao was their main source of wealth.”Quetzalcoalt” had discovered its seeds in the enlightened fields of the Sun God's sons.

Cacao was consumed with most meals mixed with other ingredients. Cacao seeds were made into a drink with the addition of maize (Zea) and vanilla (Vanilla) or a sauce (mole) with maize and chili peppers (Capsicum). Cacao was for the Mayen , Toltec and Aztec of a major importance. They used it in religious services, as currency and for gifts. The Mayans were well-known chocoholics. Residues of cacao were discovered in pots dating to 600 BC. This takes us back to the evidence of chocolate use to about 1000 years ago.

Cocoa is a small evergreen tree reaching 20-25 feet in height. Native from the Amazon Headwaters it moved to Central America . Cacao trees grow in partial shade at very low elevations between 20 degrees north and south latitude, where the average temperature is 25.5degrees C (this species tolerates 15 to 35 degrees C), and the plants receive one to more than three meters of annual precipitation.

Cacao can also be grown with irrigation. Each fruit can hold between 30 to 40 seeds. The plant is “cauliflorous” with flowers protruding directly from the woody branches and trunk.

Cacao beans contain the caffeine alkaloid Theobromine, which is a mild stimulant. The purine alkaloids theobromine and caffeine are responsible for the stimulant effect of cocoa and chocolate and contribute to bitter cocoa flavor. Cacao is the source of chocolate, which is obtained by roasting and grinding the seeds.

     

HUASHIS LEGEND

“Discovering cocoa”

One day, a man saw a monkey licking the juicy cocoa tree fruit.
He imitated him and found the fruit good. Another made the beans dried, roasted them next to the fire and crushed them to make a beverage. That's how we imagine the very beginning.