The history of chocolate facts

For a few facts or bits of history trivia that may or may not have been listed on the history page, read on. Chocolate drinks became the most preferred beverage after tea and coffee in the entire world. Click to read more chocolate facts or download the worksheet collection. Chocolate milk is an effective postworkout recovery drink. Cacao pronounced kakow trees grow in the rainforest and the pods grow directly on the trunks of cacao tree. The aristocracy and the clergy were swept off their feet by an absolute chocomania. The history of chocolate can be traced to the ancient mayans, and even earlier to the ancient olmecs of southern mexico. The smell of chocolate increases theta brain waves, which triggers relaxation chocolate has over 600 flavor compounds, while red wine has 200 it takes approximately 400 cacao beans to make one pound 450 gr. And chocolate itself and how it was first cultivated in central america as a bitter drink and then brought over to europe and gradually developed into a chocolate bar for eating, has a fascinating history all of its own. When the aztec empire ruled most of mesoamerica, chocolate was still widely consumed, and cacao seeds were a. It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate.

However, there are many fascinating facts about the world of chocolate that most do not know. Except for that, the way the maya prepared chocolate wasnt too much different from the way its prepared today. Some know that it comes from cacao, but even fewer know where cacao is grown, and especially how it grows and how the beans are harvested. The aztec kings drank more than tens of cups of hot chocolate in a day. The meltinthemouth chocolate from rodolphe lindt has remained a symbol not only for worldrenowned swiss chocolate but also for the. To start this brief serious of articles about chocolate, michigan state university extension will look at its fascinating history and science of this incredible confection called chocolate. Here are some really interesting facts about chocolate for kids. Get a taste for this caribbean country with these interesting facts about. Chocolate history starts out in latin america, where cacao trees grow wild. Chocolate is a food made from the seeds of a cacao tree. By 1899, cadbury had become a limited company and was focusing solely on the production of chocolate rather than tea and coffee. Chocolates history goes back at least 2,000 years, while historians sophie and michael coe, authors of the true history of chocolate thames and hudson, 20, suggest that.

Chocolate history doesnt include solid chocolate until the 1850s. The average serving of milk chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaf coffee. Chocolate science, history and fun facts part 2 msu. Chocolate may be the food of the gods, but for most of its 4,000year history, it was actually consumed as a bitter beverage rather than as a sweet edible treat. History of chocolate chip cookies facts about chocolate. The history of chocolate chip cookies, to me, is far more important than who invaded whom and when. Cocoa, from which chocolate is created, is said to have originated in the amazon at least 4,000 years ago. People around the world but mostly in europe and the united states consume more than 3 million tons of cocoa beans a year, according to the. Apr 08, 2019 belize has been called the cradle of chocolate, with a cocoaloving history that stretches back thousands of years. The beans were then roasted and the shells removed, and the rest was ground into a paste. The cacao tree was first found to be useful for its seeds about two thousand years ago. Chocolate has been prepared as a drink for nearly all of its history. Fermented beverages made from chocolate date back to 450 bc. Apr 01, 2019 learn about the amazing history of chocolate.

The word chocolate is derived from the mayan word xocolatl, or bitter. History of chocolate general knowledge for kids mocomi. The earliest evidence of use traces to the olmecs modern day mexico, with evidence of chocolate beverages dating to 1900 bc. Sep, 2017 chocolate in the colonies dates back at least to the winter of 16671668, writes james f. Hersheys milk chocolate, in its brownandsilver wrapper, was perhaps the bestknown american candy. Well examine the fascinating and often misreported history of chocolate, follow the chocolatemaking process, and take an online visit to a chocolate factory. A brief history of chocolate in the united states smart. The scientific name for the tree that chocolate comes from, theobroma cacao, means food of the gods.

Head on over to the history of chocolate page for a complete timeline of facts involving chocolate. One reason to explore that history launched this week when chocolatier jacques torres opened a museum dedicated to the history of chocolate at. Chocolate is native to central and south america as well as mexico. Dark chocolate may improve blood flow and lower blood pressure.

The word chocolate is derived from the mayan word chocol, meaning a hot drink. Research to date supports that chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a balanced, hearthealthy diet and lifestyle. The inventor of the chocolate chip cookie sold the idea to nestle toll. It all started with the olmecs around 1500bc, who began to cultivate cacao, the elites began to consume it as a drink in ceremonies, and generally revere the sacred plant. On the pacific coast of chiapas, mexico, a mokaya archaeological site provides evidence of cacao beverages dating even earlier, to 1900 bc. History of chocolate chocolate history timeline the.

Six fun facts about chocolate that you probably never knew. Dixie sandborn, michigan state university extension december 23, 2015. July 7 is chocolate day and it indicates the day when chocolate was first brought to europe. Chocolate in the colonies dates back at least to the winter of 16671668, writes james f. Today, guatemala produces 10,414 tons of chocolate, with 9,172 cacao farms over 3,920 hectares of land. The aztecs believed that cacao seeds were the gift of quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom, and the seeds once had so much value that they were used as a form of currency. Aug 22, 2018 firstly, the invention of hydraulic and steam chocolate mills in france in the 18 th century allowed chocolate to be processed faster and at a lower cost. The bitter, hot drink was called xacoatl by the aztecs. But for about 90 percent of chocolates long history, it was strictly a beverage, and sugar didnt have anything to do with it.

White chocolate is not actually chocolate but it contains parts of cocoa beans like cocoa butter. It was so valued that it was used as a source of currency and even as a sacrifice to the gods. The history of chocolate coco facts cacao tree bean food. The first milk chocolate had been manufactured, and many new recipes from master chocolatiers had been shared and were fully underway in the factory almost 3,000 new members of staff were employed in order to run the factory and help with the production of. Maya called the cocoa tree cacahuaquchtl tree, and the word chocolate comes from the maya word xocoatl which means. Chocolate was more expensive than tea or coffee and remained a luxury product for a long time. Mar 28, 2018 chocolate s history goes back at least 2,000 years, while historians sophie and michael coe, authors of the true history of chocolate thames and hudson, 20, suggest that it might go back. Most of us probably feel we know chocolate pretty well by now, as it is a regular part of our lives. First developed by the mayans 3,000 years ago in what is now mexico, chocolate was initially consumed as a bitter, highly spiced drink. White chocolate isnt actually chocolate, because it doesnt contain cocoa.

Feb 14, 2020 the valentines day tradition of giving a box of candy was started in the 19th century by richard cadbury, a scion of a british chocolate manufacturing family. If you cant imagine life without chocolate, youre lucky. In the film psycho, alfred hitchcock used bosco chocolate syrup for blood in the famous shower scene. Feb 12, 2014 today, guatemala produces 10,414 tons of chocolate, with 9,172 cacao farms over 3,920 hectares of land. Hersheys milk chocolate, with its brownandsilver wrapper, was perhaps the bestknown american candy bar of the 20th century. Originally prepared only as a drink, chocolate was served as a bitter liquid, mixed with spices or corn puree. Hershey company, also known as 18941927 hershey chocolate co. Therefore, usage and cultivation of the trees were very widespread.

A history of chocolate in 10 quick facts its been eaten by people for centuries, its loved by almost everyone who tastes it, and its scientific name literally means food of the gods. A lethal dose of chocolate for a human being is about 10 kilograms 22 lbs. The word chocolate may conjure up images of sweet candy bars and luscious. Well examine the fascinating and often misreported history of chocolate, follow the chocolate making process, and take an online visit to a chocolate factory. Mar 10, 2017 one reason to explore that history launched this week when chocolatier jacques torres opened a museum dedicated to the history of chocolate at his store in manhattans soho neighborhood. The first people to use chocolate were probably the olmec of what is today southeast mexico. The history of chocolate deanna pucciarelli youtube. It is used in many desserts like pudding, cakes, candy, and ice cream. From the cacao bean used by the ancient olmecs in mesoamerica to the mass production of chocolate bars by modern companies like hershey, learn how we. A 2004 london study found that 70% of people would give their passwords for a chocolate bar.

The new trend is to eat chocolate bars with 7090 percent cocoa. Chocolate science, history and fun facts part 1 msu extension. Cacao has been around for thousands of years and is probably one of the oldest of natures foods. There is a large variety of chocolate bars with very high cocoa percentages available today. Soon, other european countries also started developing their own cacao industry. Its been eaten by people for centuries, its loved by almost everyone who tastes it, and its scientific name literally. Following in the footsteps of spain, the other european countries discovered chocolate during the 17 th century and became totally fascinated by this completely new drink. For almost 150 years, chocolate manufacturers in switzerland and the rest of the world have been trying to discover the secret behind the family recipe. Below are ten interesting facts about chocolate, some of these facts are bizarre, some are saddening and others are just downright silly. In fact, chocolate was consumed as a liquid, not a solid, for 90% of its history. History, culture, and heritage, in the diary of massachusetts bays mintmaster. Chocolate and the cacao its made from has a long history of use, enjoyment and abuse by humans. It can be a solid form like a candy bar or it can be in a liquid form like hot chocolate.

For example, one vessel found at an olmec archaeological site on the gulf coast of veracruz, mexico, dates chocolates preparation by preolmec peoples as early as 1750 bc. Fourteen fun facts about love and sex in the animal kingdom. Each cacao tree produces approximately 2,500 beans. First, the beans were harvested, fermented, and dried. From the cacao bean used by the ancient olmecs in mesoamerica to the mass production of chocolate bars by.

Cocoa generally refers to chocolate in a powdered form, although it can also. Chocolate has traditionally been associated with magical, medicinal, and mythical properties. Dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants. Chocolate was once considered more valuable than gold dust. The aztecs and mayans used chocolates as money to buy things. Dec 23, 2015 chocolate science, history and fun facts part 1 chocolate is a fascinating plant and a fascinating food. Plantations meant slave labor many workers were african slaves. The chocolate river in willy wonka and the chocolate factory was made by adding chocolate cream mix to 150,000 us gallons of water, which eventually turned rancid and created a foul odor that permeated the entire soundstage. I learn more about this at antiguas chocomuseo, where chocolatemaker pablo offers me free samples of milk chocolate, 70% dark chocolate and 80% dark chocolate while also enlightening me on the history and process of the sweet.

Once europeans created a demand for chocolate, plantations starting popping up throughout south america. History of chocolate timeline year by year chocolate facts. In fact, in latin, cacao trees are called theobroma cacao, or food of the gods. Apr 16, 2011 the history of chocolate has come a long way. Hershey company, american manufacturer of food products, chiefly chocolate and sugarbased confections. Then, in 1828, the cocoa press was invented by coenraad johannes van houton.

The valentines day tradition of giving a box of candy was started in the 19th century by richard cadbury, a scion of a british chocolate manufacturing family. Chocolate s history goes back at least 2,000 years, while historians sophie and michael coe, authors of the true history of chocolate thames and hudson, 20, suggest that it might go back. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of the brain. Here are some of the key dates in the history of chocolate timeline. Chocolate is a usually sweet, brown food preparation of roasted and ground cacao seeds that is made in the form of a liquid, paste, or in a block, or used as a flavoring ingredient in other foods. A 2004 london study found that 70% of people would give their passwords for a. They lived in the area around bc, and their word, kakawa, gave us our word cacao.

This special onlineonly edition of exploring takes a closer look at the sweet lure of chocolate. But for about 90 percent of chocolates long history, it was strictly a beverage. Chocolate for kids history, benefits, and fun facts. Belize has been called the cradle of chocolate, with a cocoaloving history that stretches back thousands of years.

In 1930, dietician ruth graves wakefield 19051977 and her husband, kenneth, purchased a capecod style house halfway between boston and new bedford, massachusetts, just outside the town of whitman. Theobromine, the compound in chocolate that makes it poisonous to dogs, can kill a human as well. Many people arent aware of were their beloved chocolate actually comes from. Chocolate science, history and fun facts part 1 msu. Chocolate, derived from the seed of the cocoa tree, was used by the maya culture, as early as the sixth century ad. The first milk chocolate had been manufactured, and many new recipes from master chocolatiers had been shared and were fully underway in the factory. Here at cocoa and heart, were fascinated by all things chocolate.