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  The tasty secret of the cacao (kah KOW) tree was discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforests of the Americas. The pods of this tree contain seeds that can be processed into chocolate. The story of how chocolate grew from a local Mesoamerican beverage into a global sweet encompasses many cultures and continents.The first people known to have made chocolate were the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. These people, including the Maya and Aztec, mixed ground cacao seeds with various seasonings to make a spicy, frothy drink. Later, the Spanish conquistadors brought the seeds back home to Spain, where new recipes were created. Eventually, and the drink’s popularity spread throughout Europe. Since then, new technologies and innovations have changed the texture and taste of chocolate, but it still remains one of the world’s favorite flavors. Select which part of chocolate’s long history you’d like to explore first: Introduction: Chocolate’s History at a Glance For a quick introduction to the life and times of chocolate, check out this brief summary spanning the centuries and civilizations conquered by cacao. Chocolate: A Mesoamerican Luxury Unearth the ancient history of chocolate’s origins as a bitter but beloved beverage in Mesoamerican culture. You’ll discover chocolate’s significance in Maya and Aztec religious ceremonies and learn about the important role it played in social circles. Chocolate: A European Sweet Explore the cultural exchange of chocolate as it crossed the ocean and traveled to Europe after the Spanish conquest of Mexico. You’ll learn how France, England, and other countries also made their mark on chocolate’s history. Chocolate: A Contemporary Confection Investigate the effects that new technological innovations of the Industrial Revolution had on chocolate. You’ll find out how it evolved from the sweet drink of kings into its current chocolate bar form loved by so many people today. |
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