Despite the ongoing recession we have these days, a brave projection of the 2011 sales for American chocolates reached about $18 million. Apparently, the dwindling marketplace has not affected the appetite of consumers when it comes to these delicate sweets. Chocolate lovers owe it to the history of chocolates. Chocolates have been pre-recorded and its recognition was never once questioned. In truth, if the numbers are correct, people are finding a lot more ways to take advantage of chocolate other than satisfy wonderful craving for the tempting.
Food for the Gods
Thank God for chocolates! Like a chocolate lover, my curiosity was piqued when I had a bite of the macadamia chocolates that I truly love! Because then I knew that chocolates have originated from the Amazon had been the first cocoas were found in 2000 BC. Largely used through the Maya Culture, the word chocolate came from xocoatl meaning bitter water. The Mayas adore for cocoa was imprinted in history thru the wood carvings found dating all the way back to about 300AD, showing pictures of cocoa pods. The Mayan territory expanded in 600AD and they took their cocoa with them to the northern parts of South America until their wanderings took them to the Guatemalan shores. This region became birthing soil to large cocoa plantations wherever the pods are often presented as holy matters in rituals. They think cocoa to become food exclusive for the consumption of gods.
Dim Waters in Gold Goblets
The hot xocoatl, a dark drink that is fairly sweet to the taste, was regarded by Aztecs and Mayans to be a health sustaining drink and used it for many medicinal purposes. They also considered that drinking the dark juice or eating the fruits would bring them wisdom. Even then, the natives considered in xocoatl’s nourishing powers. Their leaders drank gallons of dark chocolate dyed in red. Individuals had been served in gold goblets.
The Bean Pay Ups
Due to its popularity and importance, the cocoa beans even became a form of currency among Mayans and Aztecs. They used cocoa beans to sell, trade and buy commodities throughout the earlier times.
In 1492, Columbus presented King Ferdinand and his Queen with cocoas upon his return but very little attention was provided to them and even on his journey in search for spices in India, Columbus didn’t realize the excellent potential of the chocolate. Otherwise, he could are already the one who discovered and announced the immense potential of such sweets.
And so more and more people have begun using the sweet chocolates as an important currency signifying wealth depending on the vastness of plantations owned. In fact, an explorer through the name of Hernando de Oviedo y Valdez claimed to have purchased slaves and prostitutes using cocoa pods.
And in 1519, some parts of Mexico had been eventually conquered by Hernando Cortez who was fascinated by xocoatl more for its currency value than its taste. At that time, the taste of the chocolates was a small bit bitter fairly sweet and spicy. Leaning additional that cultivating the cocoa tree is obviously a excellent company, he established several plantations thereby cultivating money for Spain.
Truly, I can in no way imagine a world without these fairly sweet fanciful delicacies in my life. Like a chocolate lover, I’ve always had the yearning to discover new types of chocolates every day if possible. Might they be normal or ordinary chocolates, gourmet chocolates or home-made but exceptionally delectable chocolates, my adore and passion for them will usually be there!
Lastly, you got to check out the site for True Chocoholic that will show you how to appreciate and understand about chocolate. Finally, I got a chance to learn more and taste more, to understand why chocolate is such a wonderful experience.
