Want to know about the origin of chocolate? Let’s go back in time and see how it all started. This blog is all about how cocoa beans turned into this treat.
I was having my favorite chocolate bar when this popped into my mind: what’s the origin of chocolate? How this treat came into being and became the most favorite of everyone. So, me being curious started my research and what I found blew me away. I thought chocolate was discovered one or two centuries ago. But, NO! It was discovered ages ago. Interesting, right? This is not all! There is so much more for you to know. Let’s bite into its glorious journey of becoming this delicious bar from a mere bean.
Origin of Chocolate and Its Delectable Journey!
Did you know the origin of chocolate goes back to 5000 years ago? Still astounded because I didn’t think this treat would be that old. I thought maybe some boomer had invented it. But after knowing, it’s this much old, I wonder if Adam or Eve had tasted it or not. Moreover, the origin of chocolate goes back to Mesoamerica. Yes, that’s right! Not an oh-so-amazing chef made it, but some natives of Mesoamerica. Besides, several studies also show that the Olmecs discovered chocolate. And like many great discoveries it was an accident too.
Want to know more about the origin of chocolate? You should. After all, there is so much more to know. Let’s learn more about history of chocolate. And it starts here:
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Olmecs Came Up with the Chocolate Drink
Everyone loves chocolate because it’s so delicious. And it has been like this till day one – or say 5000 years ago. As aforementioned, the Olmecs are believed to be the creators of this treat. They came up with chocolate and made history. Moreover, according to several studies, the chocolate tree, Theobroma tree was found in the Amazon forest of South America. The Central Americans brought it home and domesticated it. Primarily, the Olmecs used it as medicine. Amazing, right? I mean give me chocolate for medicine – it can surely cure my sweet tooth. Apart from being a delightful medicine, chocolate was also an important part of the rituals. After all, these people used to drink it in those holy ceremonies.
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The Divine Chocolate Drink of Mayans
Some studies also indicate Mayans as the creators of chocolate. And believe me, these peeps we having the time of their lives. After all, they were drinking chocolate. Not just the people but their gods too. In simple words, they were having chocolate drink as medicine. Plus, they were also using it to honor their gods. The fun part: there was a proper recipe of making the Godly Mayan Chocolate Drink, and it goes like this:
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Cocoa
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Chilies
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Cornmeal
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Water
At that time this was a divine drink and the magic of these ingredients was no less than SUGAR, SPICE, AND EVERYTHING NICE.
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Chocolate became the gift of God for the Aztecs
Among all the ancient civilizations, the Aztecs are the most lucky ones. After all, they believed the chocolate drink was a gift of god to them. It was the 15TH Century and chocolate reached the hands of the Aztecs. Moreover, they thought of it as a gift of god and people were delighted to have it. Do you think this is all? Well, Aztecs were innovative peeps and used cocoa for currency. Buying stuff with beans sounds interesting! Think this is all? When I told you this, I wasn’t joking at all. They used chocolate to prepare for war too. BRAIN USED X 100.
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Chocolate Drink’s Arrival in Europe
The revolutionary chocolate drink reached Europe in the 1500s. And believe me, it took the whole continent by storm – one continent at a time. Moreover, this was done by a Spanish explorer Hernán Cortés. He was in SEARCH OF GOLD and indeed FOUND IT!! It was chocolate! The Aztec emperor of that time offered him their special drink. And he was spellbound by its indulgent taste. Hence, he wanted the people of his homeland to taste it too. So, he brought it to Spain with himself
In a very short time, this drink became popular among the rich and healthy of Spain. They were loving it. It was a hundred years later when chocolate reached France and soon spread all over Europe. Gradually, different countries built their own cocoa plantations.
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Chocolate & Its World Wide Popularity
Was chocolate a gift for Royals only? Shouldn’t commoners taste it? Don’t they deserve to have a taste of it too? Well, their prayers were answered with the commercialization of chocolate production. It all started with the great invention of a machine called Chocolate Press in the 1800s. People started using it to produce cocoa powder. Afterward, they mixed this powder with several other liquids and then solidified into a delicious treat. And this is how the chocolate we enjoy today was first produced.
Ending Thoughts on the Origin of Chocolate!
Coming back to the main question: what is the origin of chocolate? Well, history points fingers at Mesoamerica as cocoa’s birth place. But really, we can’t give all the credit to a single place or a person. After all, the bean went through so many eras, regions and people’s hands to become the bar of your dreams. Moreover, this treat is not just cocoa. In fact, other ingredients such as milk, butter, sugar, etc. also play their part. Mixing all these in the most harmonious way is what gives us the chocolatey treats we love today. So, next time someone asks you about the origin of chocolate, you have all the answers to give!
