Who-invented-chocolateWho-invented-chocolate? Well, historians can't exactly pin-point when chocolate was first invented. But, we do know that in the history of chocolate, the first cacao bean was cultivated in the Yucatans' by the Mayan civilization. The use of chocolate could have been passed from the Olmec to the Maya, the Toltec, and finally to the Aztecs. Theobroma cacao is the scientific name of the cacao tree. Theobroma cacao means "Food of the Gods". Imagine that! Well then , it's no wonder why I feel like such a goddess when eating chocolate! The cocao tree is native to the tropical rainforest of the Americas and is said to have spread northward through Mexico.
XocolatlThe Aztec people used chocolate for a rich drink called Xocolatl. Pronounced(shoco-latle). Xocolatl was also called "bitter water". The word Xocolatl is the root word of chocolate. (xocolli-meaning bitter and atl-meaning water) To make this bitter water, the aztec's would use a metate(grinding stone) to crush the roasted cocao beans into a paste. Then, a mixture of honey, nuts, seeds, and spices were added. Achiote(annatto seeds) were used to give this drink it's rich color. Xocolatl was highly enjoyed by the Aztec emperor Montezuma. This drink was said to give energy and wisdom.
The 16th CenturyIn the sixteenth century, Montezuma shared the drink with with Spanish explorer and conquistador Hernan Cortes. Cortes was enamored with this drink and then brought cacao beans back to Europe. In Europe, it was a luxury item. This was made available only to kings, queens and nobles. This began Europes' love affair with chocolate. There were even chocolate lounges open for the noblemen. So,who-invented-chocolate? Answer: The ancient Maya people.
The 17th CenturyBy the 1700's chocolate was being mass produced; making it affordable to common citizens.(YIPPEE!) Chocolate drinks were now being served in France, Italy, and the Netherlands. Soon, another luxury item was invented-sugar. This made the chocolate drink even sweeter. The invention of sugar now enabled chocolate to be used in desserts and cakes. Now, we're talking chocolate!
The 18th CenturyBy the 18th century chocolate made it's entry into Diderot's Encyclopedia. Dr. Hans Sloane thought of adding milk and using it as a drink for Queen Anne's sick children. He then sold the recipe to the Quakers, who saw it as an alternative to alcohol. In 1828, Conrad van Houten invented a process of treating cocoa powder with alkali. This gave the cocoa powder a darker color and milder flavor. When you ask yourself the question, who-invented-chocolate? Are you surprised of the answers you have found? Are you learning more about the history of chocolate?
The 19th Century
Around 1900- Cocoa beans were mainly imported to America and Europe from Central America, South America, and the West Indies. Although chocolate was once used exclusively as a beverage, we now mostly associate chocolate in a bar form. During the nineteenth century, the types of chocolate that we know today were developed. I'll bet that the person who-invented-chocolate would be thrilled to know and taste what his/her invention led to. Total and blissfull chocolate paradise!
The 20th CenturyToday, in the 20th Century, West African countries supply most of the world's cacao beans. Most of the world's finest chocolate comes from a proprietary blend of beans from different nations. Thus, creating signature flavors.
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