By sagnika sinha
Want to learn more about the origin of Chocolate? Let’s delve into the history to explore facts about Chocolate! It is a product that people are crazy about; however, the history of Chocolate has originated from darkness, slavery and exploitation over the years.
In this article, I will discuss how Chocolate evolved and how it has become the mass’s choice. Let’s read about the added ingredients and Cacao that have created today’s concept of Chocolate and how people prefer it!
Keep reading more about how Chocolate has a fascinating story of origin! The article will mention how Chocolate has become an integral part of the economy, and most nations have used it at one point to perform better economically.
Cacao Magic: Unveiling The Fascinating History Of Chocolate!
Child trafficking, low-wage workers and other such aspects have become synonymous with the production of Chocolate. The antioxidant-rich treat is healthy for your heart unless you add milk and sugar. This adds to the fat quotient for the consumers!
The grassroots efforts for the farmers to supply Chocolate to the big industries and chocolate production houses have been quite difficult. Especially due to the negative environmental impacts, the cocoa supply can be considered a step towards destruction.
In West Africa, rainforests are being cut down due to the expansion of cacao plantations. This hurts the overall environmental safety and climate change. Sustainability has taken a back seat, while practices by bigger organizations are raising serious ethical questions. Learn more about Chocolate facts?
History
Want to know more about how the beans derived from the cacao tree resulted in the creation of the Chocolate? The history of the beans is traced back to the ancient Maya culture and other cultures in Southern Mexico known as the ancient Olmecs.
The thing that you know today as luscious truffles and sweet candy bars was not always like this! It was a far cry from the past concept and practices of Chocolate, which tasted bitter, was quite chewy, and was inaccessible to the masses.’
The rich-tasting chocolate began to gain traction in the streets of colonial America and Europe. Read more to learn about the production of different types of Chocolate and how it evolved over the years.
Read more about interesting facts about chocolate through the process of exploration!
Different Types Of Chocolate!
A variety of Chocolate is available worldwide, and they are of different types. You have to read about them to know more, and then you can discover what your style is. It all started with the ceremonial drink the Olmecs made with Cacao.
Want to know how many cocoa beans does it take to make a pound of chocolate? You will need approximately 400 beans to create a chocolate bar. Keep reading if you are interested in the different forms of Chocolate over the years and how it has undergone change!
Mayan Chocolate
The Mayans first started consuming Chocolate, and they loved it. In ceremonies and transactions, they used Chocolate. They have also used Chocolate in creating drinks that are quite delicious.
Chocolate frothed and formed a thick foam along with honey or water or chilli peppers. The good thing about the Mayan culture was that Chocolate was available for everyone, which made it a mass product.
The culture was not restricting Chocolate only to the rich or powerful! Instead, they used it to celebrate life, with every meal and among everyone!
Spanish Hot Chocolate
One of the historical steps towards Chocolate and its integration into society was from the Spanish Hot Chocolate! There were many conflicting reports regarding when Chocolate first arrived in Spain! It was in 1502 that Chocolate first came to Spain.
They say Christopher Columbus brought back a trade ship after intercepting it on its way to America back to Spain. Another story that makes it around in the history of Chocolate is the Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes, who was introduced to Chocolate in the court of the Aztecs of Montezuma.
They say the people of Spain initially kept the knowledge of Chocolate a top secret. Apart from the well-detailed understanding of the production of Chocolate, it was also important for Spain to have the upper hand over other countries.
The Spanish court was filled with the indulgence of Chocolate by the 1500s, and then they started importing Chocolate by 1585. Other countries, such as France and Italy, started learning about Chocolate and brought it back to their respective countries.
American Colonies Chocolate
Chocolate in the American Colonies was like diamonds, especially after being brought on a Spanish ship in Florida in 1641. In 1682, the first American Chocolate house opened in Boston! People went crazy both for its taste and its celebrity status. It was for the rich and the lavish!
Cocoa beans became one of the major imports in the American Colonies by 1773, leading to people of all classes enjoying Chocolate. The mass has finally had access to the Chocolate.
Cacao Powder
The Cacao Powder is the next best thing to happen to humankind as it first came down to Europe and was considered a luxurious item only available for the rich and the willing. The Dutch chemist Coenraad van Houten started working on mixing alkaline salts and cacao beans.
It is his way of treating the cacao beans, now known as “Dutch Processing”, where the Chocolate turns into powder, making it easier to mix with water or milk. The cacao powder that is produced is known as “Dutch cocoa”.
People could make a wide variety of products from the powder, and over time, it became excessive and less expensive. Delicious chocolate products were easier to make and access, thus making Chocolate a mass product.
Nestle Chocolate Bars
It was in the 19th century that Chocolate was taking the form of bars molded with cocoa butter, chocolate liquor, and sugar. It was in 1847 that the British Chocolatier J.S. Fry and Sons created this idea. The dried milk powder brought a different taste to the whole concept of Chocolate.
The credit for this idea goes to Swiss Chocolatier Daniel Peter, who used the dried milk to better the taste of Chocolate, leading to the creation of the milk chocolate in 1876. After many years, Peter and Henri Nestle, his friend, established the Nestle Company.
This is how the company brought milk chocolate into the market and made it accessible to the masses! Initially, the chocolate bar was difficult to chew, but Rudolf Lindt, a Swiss Chocolatier mixed with aerated chocolate, helped with the consistency, especially with other ingredients.
Keep Enjoying The Beautiful Flavor Chocolate…
Now that you know about different facts about Chocolate, you should consider trying the other varieties because you will feel better and experience some of the best experiences.
The idea of Chocolate has now become quite common as it is used as a flavor in almost everything edible. There are issues with the production of Chocolate, especially when slavery is synonymous with the production of Chocolate. So we need to work on it so it does not impact the economy.
Comment down below about your favorite Chocolate and why you find it so!
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