Health Network News

Despite the ongoing recession we have today, a brave projection of a 2011 sales for American chocolates reached about $18 million. Apparently, the dwindling marketplace has not impacted 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 popularity was in no way once questioned. In fact, if the numbers are correct, people are discovering more ways to make use of chocolate other than satisfy wonderful 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 truly love! Since then I knew that chocolates have originated from the Amazon were the very first cocoas were found in 2000 BC. Largely used by the Maya Culture, the word chocolate came from xocoatl meaning bitter water. The Mayas love for cocoa was imprinted in history thru the wood carvings discovered 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 till their wanderings took them to the Guatemalan shores. This region became birthing soil to large cocoa plantations where the pods are often introduced as holy matters in rituals. They believe cocoa to be food exclusive for the consumption of gods.

Dim Waters in Gold Goblets

The hot xocoatl, a dark drink that’s fairly sweet to the taste, was regarded by Aztecs and Mayans to become a health sustaining drink and used it for many medicinal purposes. They also considered that drinking the dark juice or eating the fruits would bring them wisdom. Even then, the natives believed in xocoatl’s nourishing powers. Their leaders drank gallons of dark chocolate dyed in red. Individuals were served in gold goblets.

The Bean Pay Ups

Because of its recognition and significance, 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 introduced King Ferdinand and his Queen with cocoas upon his return but very small 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 found and announced the immense potential 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 through the name of Hernando de Oviedo y Valdez claimed to have purchased slaves and prostitutes using cocoa pods.

And in 1519, some parts of Mexico were eventually conquered by Hernando Cortez who was fascinated by xocoatl more for its currency value than its taste. At that time, the taste of the chocolates was a small bit bitter fairly sweet and spicy. Leaning further that cultivating the cocoa tree is certainly a great company, he established multiple plantations thereby cultivating money for Spain.

Truly, I can never imagine a world without having these fairly sweet fanciful delicacies in my life. Like a chocolate lover, I’ve usually had the yearning to discover new types of chocolates each day if possible. Might they be normal or ordinary chocolates, gourmet chocolates or home-made but exceptionally delectable chocolates, my love and passion for them will usually be there!