Origin and Past: Mesoamerica

Stik-o

I have tasted and relished this sweet dessert since my childhood days. There are times that resorting to crying is my only way to get it. Inevitably, it’s my parents’ way to stop me from weeping. I can get it using other means but, one thing’s for sure; I used to do just about anything to get it maybe because it lifts up my bad mood. But like me, have you ever wondered where chocolates come from? 

Many people crave for it. We buy and indulge in those bars of chocolate from different grocery stores. But, would you believe that chocolates were once a beverage which is very contrary to how we usually have it today? These common questions about the history of chocolates can be traced back to the Mesoamerican times. Let’s take a look and divulge ourselves with in the rich history of this delectable treat.

cacao tree

The Mayans are said to be the very first people who coined the word “chocolate” which was known to be derived from xocolatl, word that ironically means bitter water. The Mayans and their ancestors took trees from the rainforest and grew it in their own backyards, where they also harvest, roast, and ferment the cocoa beans from these trees. It is consumed as a bitter drink which used to represent their social and religious status. Surprisingly, these practices are very unlikely to how we consume chocolate today. Priests also use cacao beans as offerings to the gods and chocolate drinks during sacred ceremonies.

cacao seeds

The Aztecs ruled and dominated the lands of Mesoamerica in the 1400’s. They came from a vast city in the Valley of Mexico which was a very dry place. Because of this, they are unable to grow cocoa beans. Instead, a trade with the Mayans was an occurrence to obtain supplies of these crops. They also required the citizens and the people to pay their tribute in a form of cacao seeds. This started the usage of cacao as Aztec money.

Both the Mayans and Aztecs consumed bitter chocolate drink because sugar was deemed unavailable in Mesoamerica. But the Aztecs’ chocolate drink was known to be tastier than the Mayans’ chocolate drink because they added more seasoning like vanilla. Drinking this chocolate beverage is both a privilege and an important part for the lives of the people in the society. It is because cacao seeds are too expensive that only the royal people can afford it. The continuous growth of the chocolate industry was for taste and most of all money; however many externalities have caused chocolate to become a rich man’s food.

Reference: http://www.chocolatesource.com