Who Invented Chocolate?

On the question of who invented chocolate, the Olmecs (1500-400 BC) were almost certainly the first humans to consume chocolate, originally in the form of a drink, crushing the cocoa beans, mixing them with water and adding spices, chillies and herbs. The mixture was stirred with a wooden paddle until a thick froth appeared on top.

Journey into the heartland of the Olmec Nation, and visit fascinating sites of historical excavation, with respected Olmec scholar Dr. Ann Cyphers.

Montezuma II, the great grandson of Montezuma I, made history by allowing the Spaniard Hernandes Cortez to gain a foothold in his land. Warning bells should have rung when his spies reported that Cortez had burned his ships!

The Origins of Chocolate.
The answer to the question of who invented chocolate, or rather who discovered a use for the cocao bean, seems to date back around 3500 years ago to the Olmec civilization, the oldest known peoples in the Eastern area of Mexico. The cocoa plant was probably growing wild in that equatorial region, during the Olmec period, which they then cultivated.

The Olmecs (1500-400 BC) were almost certainly the first humans to consume chocolate, originally in the form of a drink, crushing the cocoa beans, mixing them with water and added spices, chillies and herbs. Over time, the Mayans (600 BC) and Aztecs (400 AD) developed successful methods for cultivating cocoa as well. The cocoa bean was widely used as a monetary and measuring unit, 400 beans equalling a Zontli and 8000 equalling a Xiquipilli, and was used as such, in some areas, right up to the 20th century. During their wars with the Aztecs and the Mayans, the Chimimeken people’s preferred method of levying taxes in conquered regions was in the form of cocoa beans. For these civilizations, cocoa was a symbol of abundance. It was used in religious rituals dedicated to Quetzalcoatl, the Aztec god responsible for bringing the cocoa tree to man, to Chak ek Chuah, the Mayan patron saint of cocoa and as an offering at the funerals of noblemen.

Cocoa production advanced as people migrated throughout Meso-America but consumption of the drink remained a privilege for the upper classes and for soldiers during battle. By this time, the re-invigorating and fortifying virtues of cocoa were becoming widely recognized and embraced. Montezuma, the Aztec king, was reputed to drink 50 cups of chocolate drink every day, especially as a prelude to visiting his harem!

Cortez extolled the virtues of chocolate, in a letter to Charles V of Spain, saying
"... it enable soldiers to march all day without food..". And so, chocolate was brought to Spain. Knowing how highly prized it was among the Spanich Court, the most amazing aspect of its introduction into Europe was that the Spaniards managed to keep it secret for about 100 years! The precise answer to who invented chocolate will probably never be known, but there is no question that zchocolat have perfected the making of quality handmade chocolate into the epitome of culinary delights.

To buy quality handmade luxury chocolates, from the comfort of your home, visit zchocolat now!

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