| A journey through the history of chocolate | | | | of the Aztec Empire, but helped Cortes |
| reveals that this mysterious food has woven | | | | realize that this crop had tremendous |
| its story throughout multiple cultures and | | | | potential led him to establish cacao |
| continents impacting civilizations | | | | plantations throughout the Caribbean.When |
| culturally, socially, economically and | | | | Columbus and Cortes returned to Spain the |
| spiritually. A study of the history of | | | | bitter cacao drink of the Aztec culture was |
| chocolate begins by going back in time to the | | | | introduced to Europe and there it was |
| realm of the Maya Indians and the Olmec | | | | sweetened to make it more in tune to the |
| Civilizations of Central America.The word | | | | European tastes. It became a drink of the |
| cacao was found in the Olmec vocabulary | | | | elite and wealthy. Within ten years, |
| nearly 3,000 years ago. The hot, humid, but | | | | chocolate was enjoyed throughout the courts |
| shady climate of the tropical rain forests of | | | | in the French aristocracy. Chocolate became |
| this region was perfect for growing cacao | | | | known throughout the countries of Europe and |
| plants. The Maya felt the cacao tree was | | | | in the middle of the 17th century chocolate |
| owned by the gods and the pods were offered | | | | appeared in England. There it was highly |
| as a gift from the gods to man. The cacao pod | | | | taxed continuing its reputation as a luxury |
| became the symbol of fertility and life in | | | | to be enjoyed only by those privileged enough |
| the Mayan culture.Later, in the 18th century, | | | | to afford it.Cacao was primarily only for |
| a Swedish botanist named Linnaeus, called the | | | | drinking until 1828. Chocolate was prepared |
| cacao tree theobroma cacao, which means | | | | as a drink by grinding up the beans into a |
| "drink of the gods". It was the Mayan people | | | | thin paste and adding spices and sweetening |
| that did indeed make a drink from the cacao | | | | and then adding something to soak up the |
| pods. This drink was considered a "royal" | | | | cocoa butter, which would float to the |
| brew enjoyed by the noblemen and kings and | | | | surface.Coenraad J. Van Houten, a Dutch |
| was often used in sacred rituals. Hot chili | | | | chemist in that year invented a press which |
| peppers were added to flavor it or maize was | | | | would release the cocoa butter from the bean, |
| often added to change its texture.In 1502, | | | | leaving the dryer cake that could be ground |
| Columbus, on his 4th and final voyage to the | | | | up into a powder similar to the fat-free |
| Caribbean, was given a sack of cacao seeds as | | | | cocoa powder we enjoy today.Twenty years |
| a form of payment. He was unsure of the worth | | | | later European companies used the presses |
| of the seeds, so the Aztecs made him a drink | | | | made by Van Houten to produce the first |
| from the pods to show him its potential. They | | | | eating chocolate. By taking what was left |
| felt this drink was a source of energy, | | | | after separating the cocoa powder from the |
| spiritual wisdom, and enhanced sexual powers. | | | | butter, the industry saw that they could melt |
| They used it to fortify their warriors when | | | | the cocoa butter and combine it with a blend |
| in battle. Although Columbus did not | | | | of ground cacao beans and sugar, mix this |
| personally care for it, he accepted the seeds | | | | into a paste and mold it. Edible chocolate |
| in payment, being curious as to its value | | | | was the final product. Chocolate appeared on |
| upon returning to Spain.Years later, when | | | | the market in the United States around the |
| Cortes arrived in the New World, he noted | | | | turn of the twentieth century and now nearly |
| that the Aztecs used the cacao beans as their | | | | one hundred years later is still in harmony |
| treasury and kept huge storehouses of the | | | | with all who love it's unique, rich |
| seeds. Cortes was offered a cacao plantation | | | | taste.Jane S. Roseen became the sole Owner |
| and a royal welcome from the Aztec ruler | | | | and President of Harmony Sweets in 2005. |
| Montezuma, when he mistakenly thought Cortes | | | | Since then she has taken a small, successful |
| was the reincarnation of a former god and | | | | online gourmet chocolate shop and made it a |
| king. This was the beginning of the downfall | | | | name recognized world-wide. |