Origins The scientific name for chocolate is Theobroma Cacao, which means food of the gods. This name was first given to the Cacao tree by Carolus Linneaus, the father of modern day taxonomic plant classification. Thehistory of chocolatebegan in Mesoamerica. Evidence suggests that it may have beenfermentedand served as an alcoholic beverage as early as 1400 BC. ancient Olmec pots and vessels from around 1500 B.C. have been discovered with traces of theobromine, a compound found in chocolate. It is thought the Olmecs used cacao to create a ceremonial drink. In these ancient times chocolate was not a sweet bar but rather a bitter drink. The Mayans The Olmecs undoubtedly passed their cacao knowledge on to the Central AmericanMayanswho not only consumed chocolate, but revered it. Mayan written history mentions chocolate drinks being used in celebrations and religious ceremonies. The Aztecs TheAztecsthen took chocolate admiration to the next level. They believed cacao was given to them by their gods. Like the Mayans, they enjoyed consuming chocolate as hot or cold, spiced beverages in ornate containers, but they also used cacao beans as currency to buy food and other goods. In Aztec culture, cacao beans were considered more valuable than gold. The Europeans It wasnt until the Spanish invaded Southern America that chocolate entered Europe and transitioned to the sweet product we enjoy today. But that is a story for another blog!
