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 background of chocolates. Chocolates have been pre-recorded and its recognition was in no way once questioned. In fact, if the numbers are correct, people are finding more methods to take advantage of chocolate other than satisfy fantastic 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 really love! Since then I knew that chocolates have originated from the Amazon had been the very first cocoas had been found in 2000 BC. Largely used through the Maya Culture, the word chocolate came from xocoatl meaning bitter water. The Mayas love for cocoa was imprinted in background thru the wood carvings found dating all of 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 area became birthing soil to big cocoa plantations wherever the pods are frequently presented as holy matters in rituals. They think cocoa to be food exclusive for the consumption of gods.
Dark Waters in Gold Goblets
The hot xocoatl, a dark drink that is 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 believed 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. Those were served in gold goblets.
The Bean Pay Ups
Because of 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 purchase commodities throughout the earlier times.
In 1492, Columbus presented King Ferdinand and his Queen with cocoas upon his return but very little attention was given to them as well as on his journey in search for spices in India, Columbus didn’t realize the great potential of the chocolate. Otherwise, he could are already the one who discovered and announced the immense possible 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 by the name of Hernando de Oviedo y Valdez claimed to have bought 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 a lot more for its currency value than its taste. At that time, the taste of the chocolates was a small bit bitter sweet and spicy. Leaning further that cultivating the cocoa tree is certainly a excellent business, he established multiple plantations thereby cultivating money for Spain.
Truly, I can in no way imagine a world without these sweet fanciful delicacies in my life. Like a chocolate lover, I’ve usually had the yearning to discover new kinds of chocolates every day if possible. Might they be regular or ordinary chocolates, gourmet chocolates or home-made but exceptionally delectable chocolates, my adore and passion for them will always 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.
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