The history of chocolate: from trees to treats
The chocolate story begins just over 3000 years ago according to Chocolate Review, an online resource for chocolate lovers. Historians believe that cacao, whose beans are used for making chocolate, was first cultivated by the Olmecs, who lived in Central America at that time.
When the Aztecs discovered cocoa beans, they named them cacahuatl, which means "sun beans". They used beans mainly as a currency considered so precious. It was the only authorized form of payment of taxes levied by the Aztec leaders. Beans have also become valuable gifts.
The beans were also used to make a drink. Powdered cocoa beans were mixed with various spices to make it a frothy and bitter drink seasoned with spices such as peppers that warriors used to strengthen them in combat. It was believed that cocoa had both medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities through these ancient cultures.
Chocolate has also played a role in the royal and religious events of early cultures. Priests presented cocoa beans as an offering to the gods and chocolate drinks were served at sacred ceremonies.
When the Spaniards arrived in the New World, they observed the custom of drinking this early chocolate drink. They returned home with cocoa beans and were the first to add sugar to eliminate bitterness. When the rest of Europe discovered the chocolate drink, it became a hit on the continent. To cope with the demand, many European countries have created plantations in the New World. However, cocoa and sugar being expensive imports, chocolate has become a symbol of wealth and power. In France, chocolate could only be consumed by members of the royal court for a certain period of time.
Chocolate became widely available in the United States in the 1900s, thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Inventions such as the cocoa press have created solid chocolate for the masses in addition to the liquid form. And yet, despite advances in chocolate making, cocoa is still harvested by hand.
The manufacturing process drives the beans through a process of roasting and milling to produce a paste called chocolate liquor. An additional treatment extracts the cocoa butter from the solid cocoa which is ground into cocoa powder.
The sweet solid chocolate used in making chocolate treats is made when the chocolate liquor is mixed with condensed milk, sugar and additional cocoa butter. Then it goes through a period of refining and "conching" to mix and knead the mixture into a silky texture. It is then soaked to give the chocolate its brilliant luster. Finally, it is molded into the desired shape, then packaged and packaged for shipment to stores.
What makes the best chocolate of all time is a matter of individual taste. Some prefer the deep, rich taste of dark chocolate, while others prefer milder milk chocolate. The softer and finer taste of Swiss and German chocolates is due to a longer refining period. Whatever you think is the best chocolate ever, enjoy your favorite chocolate treats!
When the Aztecs discovered cocoa beans, they named them cacahuatl, which means "sun beans". They used beans mainly as a currency considered so precious. It was the only authorized form of payment of taxes levied by the Aztec leaders. Beans have also become valuable gifts.
The beans were also used to make a drink. Powdered cocoa beans were mixed with various spices to make it a frothy and bitter drink seasoned with spices such as peppers that warriors used to strengthen them in combat. It was believed that cocoa had both medicinal and aphrodisiac qualities through these ancient cultures.
Chocolate has also played a role in the royal and religious events of early cultures. Priests presented cocoa beans as an offering to the gods and chocolate drinks were served at sacred ceremonies.
When the Spaniards arrived in the New World, they observed the custom of drinking this early chocolate drink. They returned home with cocoa beans and were the first to add sugar to eliminate bitterness. When the rest of Europe discovered the chocolate drink, it became a hit on the continent. To cope with the demand, many European countries have created plantations in the New World. However, cocoa and sugar being expensive imports, chocolate has become a symbol of wealth and power. In France, chocolate could only be consumed by members of the royal court for a certain period of time.
Chocolate became widely available in the United States in the 1900s, thanks to the Industrial Revolution. Inventions such as the cocoa press have created solid chocolate for the masses in addition to the liquid form. And yet, despite advances in chocolate making, cocoa is still harvested by hand.
The manufacturing process drives the beans through a process of roasting and milling to produce a paste called chocolate liquor. An additional treatment extracts the cocoa butter from the solid cocoa which is ground into cocoa powder.
The sweet solid chocolate used in making chocolate treats is made when the chocolate liquor is mixed with condensed milk, sugar and additional cocoa butter. Then it goes through a period of refining and "conching" to mix and knead the mixture into a silky texture. It is then soaked to give the chocolate its brilliant luster. Finally, it is molded into the desired shape, then packaged and packaged for shipment to stores.
What makes the best chocolate of all time is a matter of individual taste. Some prefer the deep, rich taste of dark chocolate, while others prefer milder milk chocolate. The softer and finer taste of Swiss and German chocolates is due to a longer refining period. Whatever you think is the best chocolate ever, enjoy your favorite chocolate treats!
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