Where Was Chocolate First Discovered?

Chocolate is our favorite candy that swallows the world, with a long and interesting history that goes back thousands of years. The history of chocolate begins in the rainforest of the Amazon Basin, where the cocoa tree cocoa originates. However, the earliest available methods occurred in modern Ecuador in the Mayo-Cinic culture about 5300 years ago. Thus, Cacao migrated to Central America and incorporated it into the ancient societies of the Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs.

Early use in South America

The first record of cocoa uses not the sweet butter chocolate we are familiar with today, but the alcoholic beverages produced for bitter drinks, or even the fermented pulp of cocoa pods. The early domestication of Cacao trees by the Mayo-Chinchipe culture was the beginning of a long history of cocoa cultivation and trade throughout South America, and later entered Central America.

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Central America: The core of chocolate culture

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In Central America, Olmecs is known to be the first to domesticate cocoa plants and brew chocolate drinks from its legumes around 1500 BC. This land includes contemporary Mexico, Guatemala, Belize and certain areas of Honduras become hubs of chocolate culture. The Mayans and Aztecs worshiped cocoa in a sacred way, sacred with rituals, rituals and even as currency.

The Mayans developed a rich, frothy drink called “Xocolatl” prepared by grinding cocoa seeds and mixing them with water and other ingredients such as chili and cornmeal. During special events, this bitter drink was greatly appreciated and used to. Chocolate was also valued by the Aztecs, and it was a luxurious gift to Emperor Moxema II.

Discovery in Europe and beyond

The Spanish Conqueror was the first European to introduce chocolate to the early 16th century. Hernán Cortés sent cocoa beans back to Spain, and the elites used chocolate. At first it was considered a bitter drink, but eventually, Europeans began to add sugar with sugar and spices, which made it more acceptable to their taste.

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The Industrial Revolution is a turning point in the history of chocolate. In 1828, Dutch chemist Coenraad van Houten discovered a way to press cocoa butter out of cocoa beans, leaving behind cocoa powder and making chocolate more widely available. In 1847, an English chocolate maker then created the first chocolate bar by combining cocoa powder, sugar and cocoa butter.

Chocolate is now consumed worldwide in many forms, from truffles, bars to hot cocoa and candies. Its history develops with the development of new products and processes, but its roots are firmly built on the old Central American culture.

Although the Amazon Basin is the origin of the cocoa tree, we already know that the history and evolution of chocolate are most directly related to Central American civilization. The chocolate process we know today has gone from bitter drinks to a widespread enjoyment, which is evidence of human creativity and cultural exchange.

Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Optical Illusion