The history of chocolate facts

Chocolate was more expensive than tea or coffee and remained a luxury product for a long time. Dec 23, 2015 chocolate science, history and fun facts part 1 chocolate is a fascinating plant and a fascinating food. History of chocolate general knowledge for kids mocomi. Chocolate science, history and fun facts part 1 msu extension. Hersheys milk chocolate, with its brownandsilver wrapper, was perhaps the bestknown american candy bar of the 20th century. They lived in the area around bc, and their word, kakawa, gave us our word cacao. The history of chocolate can be traced to the ancient mayans, and even earlier to the ancient olmecs of southern mexico. 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.

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. Dark chocolate may also improve the function of the brain. One reason to explore that history launched this week when chocolatier jacques torres opened a museum dedicated to the history of chocolate at. Chocolate has been prepared as a drink for nearly all of its history. Below are ten interesting facts about chocolate, some of these facts are bizarre, some are saddening and others are just downright silly. 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. Here are some really interesting facts about chocolate for kids.

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. Once europeans created a demand for chocolate, plantations starting popping up throughout south america. The average serving of milk chocolate has about the same amount of caffeine as a cup of decaf 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.

Dark chocolate is a powerful source of antioxidants. On the pacific coast of chiapas, mexico, a mokaya archaeological site provides evidence of cacao beverages dating even earlier, to 1900 bc. Research to date supports that chocolate can be enjoyed as part of a balanced, hearthealthy diet and lifestyle. Chocolate science, history and fun facts part 1 msu. 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. 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. Cocoa, from which chocolate is created, is said to have originated in the amazon at least 4,000 years ago. The aristocracy and the clergy were swept off their feet by an absolute chocomania. Six fun facts about chocolate that you probably never knew. 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. Cacao pronounced kakow trees grow in the rainforest and the pods grow directly on the trunks of cacao tree. Chocolate and the cacao its made from has a long history of use, enjoyment and abuse by humans. 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. Therefore, usage and cultivation of the trees were very widespread.

History of chocolate chocolate history timeline the. 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. Chocolate was once considered more valuable than gold dust. Soon, other european countries also started developing their own cacao industry. It is used in many desserts like pudding, cakes, candy, and ice cream. When the aztec empire ruled most of mesoamerica, chocolate was still widely consumed, and cacao seeds were a.

White chocolate is not actually chocolate but it contains parts of cocoa beans like cocoa butter. Hersheys milk chocolate, in its brownandsilver wrapper, was perhaps the bestknown american candy. Dixie sandborn, michigan state university extension december 23, 2015. First, the beans were harvested, fermented, and dried. Then, in 1828, the cocoa press was invented by coenraad johannes van houton. Most of us probably feel we know chocolate pretty well by now, as it is a regular part of our lives. Hershey company, also known as 18941927 hershey chocolate co. Chocolate history doesnt include solid chocolate until the 1850s. The history of chocolate chip cookies, to me, is far more important than who invaded whom and when. The word chocolate may conjure up images of sweet candy bars and luscious. Cocoa generally refers to chocolate in a powdered form, although it can also. There is a large variety of chocolate bars with very high cocoa percentages available today.

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. Today, guatemala produces 10,414 tons of chocolate, with 9,172 cacao farms over 3,920 hectares of land. Apr 01, 2019 learn about the amazing history of chocolate. Feb 12, 2014 today, guatemala produces 10,414 tons of chocolate, with 9,172 cacao farms over 3,920 hectares of land. This special onlineonly edition of exploring takes a closer look at the sweet lure of chocolate. The bitter, hot drink was called xacoatl by the aztecs. Chocolate is a food made from the seeds of a cacao tree. However, there are many fascinating facts about the world of chocolate that most do not know. The word chocolate is derived from the mayan word chocol, meaning a hot drink. In the film psycho, alfred hitchcock used bosco chocolate syrup for blood in the famous shower scene. 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. Chocolate in the colonies dates back at least to the winter of 16671668, writes james f.

Originally prepared only as a drink, chocolate was served as a bitter liquid, mixed with spices or corn puree. First developed by the mayans 3,000 years ago in what is now mexico, chocolate was initially consumed as a bitter, highly spiced drink. Except for that, the way the maya prepared chocolate wasnt too much different from the way its prepared today. Dark chocolate may improve blood flow and lower blood pressure. The aztecs and mayans used chocolates as money to buy things. Here at cocoa and heart, were fascinated by all things chocolate. 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. For a few facts or bits of history trivia that may or may not have been listed on the history page, read on. The new trend is to eat chocolate bars with 7090 percent cocoa. Cacao has been around for thousands of years and is probably one of the oldest of natures foods. Chocolate history starts out in latin america, where cacao trees grow wild. Sep, 2017 chocolate in the colonies dates back at least to the winter of 16671668, writes james f.

The meltinthemouth chocolate from rodolphe lindt has remained a symbol not only for worldrenowned swiss chocolate but also for the. 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. It was so valued that it was used as a source of currency and even as a sacrifice to the gods. 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.

The first people to use chocolate were probably the olmec of what is today southeast mexico. From the cacao bean used by the ancient olmecs in mesoamerica to the mass production of chocolate bars by. A lethal dose of chocolate for a human being is about 10 kilograms 22 lbs. The aztec kings drank more than tens of cups of hot chocolate in a day. Chocolate for kids history, benefits, and fun facts. The scientific name for the tree that chocolate comes from, theobroma cacao, means food of the gods. The beans were then roasted and the shells removed, and the rest was ground into a paste. The history of chocolate coco facts cacao tree bean food.

Well examine the fascinating and often misreported history of chocolate, follow the chocolatemaking process, and take an online visit to a chocolate factory. 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. Chocolate drinks became the most preferred beverage after tea and coffee in the entire world. 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. Hershey company, american manufacturer of food products, chiefly chocolate and sugarbased confections. 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. The history of chocolate deanna pucciarelli youtube. The inventor of the chocolate chip cookie sold the idea to nestle toll. The word chocolate is derived from the mayan word xocolatl, or bitter. Each cacao tree produces approximately 2,500 beans. History of chocolate chip cookies facts about chocolate. Chocolate milk is an effective postworkout recovery drink.

Apr 08, 2019 belize has been called the cradle of chocolate, with a cocoaloving history that stretches back thousands of years. A 2004 london study found that 70% of people would give their passwords for a. History of chocolate timeline year by year chocolate facts. 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. 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. Get a taste for this caribbean country with these interesting facts about. White chocolate isnt actually chocolate, because it doesnt contain cocoa. Chocolate is native to central and south america as well as mexico. Head on over to the history of chocolate page for a complete timeline of facts involving chocolate. Early central americans and mexicans used the seeds from the cacao tree to make a drink that tasted bitter, not sweet. Its been eaten by people for centuries, its loved by almost everyone who tastes it, and its scientific name literally. Well examine the fascinating and often misreported history of chocolate, follow the chocolate making process, and take an online visit to a chocolate factory.

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. Many people arent aware of were their beloved chocolate actually comes from. Here are some of the key dates in the history of chocolate timeline. Apr 16, 2011 the history of chocolate has come a long way. Darker chocolates can have as much caffeine as a can of cocacola. 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. A brief history of chocolate in the united states smart. The earliest evidence of use traces to the olmecs modern day mexico, with evidence of chocolate beverages dating to 1900 bc. In fact, in latin, cacao trees are called theobroma cacao, or food of the gods.

But for about 90 percent of chocolates long history, it was strictly a beverage, and sugar didnt have anything to do with it. It can be a solid form like a candy bar or it can be in a liquid form like hot chocolate. Belize has been called the cradle of chocolate, with a cocoaloving history that stretches back thousands of years. The cacao tree was first found to be useful for its seeds about two thousand years ago. The first milk chocolate had been manufactured, and many new recipes from master chocolatiers had been shared and were fully underway in the factory. Plantations meant slave labor many workers were african slaves. A 2004 london study found that 70% of people would give their passwords for a chocolate bar. Click to read more chocolate facts or download the worksheet collection. Chocolate science, history and fun facts part 2 msu. 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. Maya called the cocoa tree cacahuaquchtl tree, and the word chocolate comes from the maya word xocoatl which means. By 1899, cadbury had become a limited company and was focusing solely on the production of chocolate rather than tea and coffee.

Fermented beverages made from chocolate date back to 450 bc. 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. Fourteen fun facts about love and sex in the animal kingdom. It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of chocolate. The first people to use chocolate were probably the olmec of what is today southeast. 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. But for about 90 percent of chocolate s long history, it was strictly a beverage, and sugar didnt have anything to do with it. Theobromine, the compound in chocolate that makes it poisonous to dogs, can kill a human as well.