In our society now, chocolate can be availed commonly and they come in many forms, such as recipes, bars, paste, powder and blocks. Many family units have chocolate as their dessert staple and the rich and poor, and the young and old really indulge. But about centuries ago, chocolate has been for some people ONLY and had been the luxury that arrived in just as one form – as chocolate drink.
Boozy Drink From The Ancients
Chocolate has been produced from a cacao tree that has been the native to South and Central America. Based on the chemical analysis, the most primitive known use of cacao can be dated back from 1400-1100 BC. During that early stage, there were not the seeds of cacao, but a pulp of a fruit that has been used. This sweet pulp has been fermented to create that make a cherished alcoholic beverage. It has been only later during that day the cacao seeds had been used. Still, it has been much different from those chocolate being used now.
Bitter Water
During the Spanish conquistadors arrive into contact with Aztec civilization, they meet the cacao drink. By and by, ‘chocolate’ is taken from the xocolātl word, that which denotes ‘bitter water’ at Aztec. Even though chocolate had their origins in Aztec language, it has been recommended that Aztecs may innate the recipe of earlier Mesoamerican civilizations, like the Olmecs or the Mayas.
The cacao seeds were roasted, fermented, and ground to a paste. This cacao paste would be mixed with wine or water, ground maize or corn, and the variety of flavorings. The flavorings include vanilla, allspice, honey and chili pepper. The mixture would go through the process called as frothing: the drink has been poured from the height, back & forth from the pot to the cup, until the deep foam was created on the top.
The Chocolate Riches
The cacao was of best value, economically and symbolically, so the treat wasn’t for daily consumption, and not everyone is allowed to take it. Pods were being used in trade up to the point wherein they were at times counterfeited through filling a plant pod with soil. This ‘bitter water’ had been being taken by warriors and nobles in one ritual with solemnity and purpose. It was thought that the plant had been of the gods, linked with the spine serpent Quetzalcoatl, the god of wisdom and wind.
When the cacao was introduced to Europe by those Spanish, the drink has been transformed by the ingredient that was not available to Aztecs – sugar. This creates the taste of this drink more appealing, then, soared to fame among the Spanish officials and nobility and in Roman Catholic Church.
The Chocolate Revolution
During Industrial Revolution about 18th-19th centuries where the change in the manner people consumed chocolate take place. In the modern times chocolates are the mainstream and are no longer considered the food just for the elites.
Who doesn’t love the sweet flavor of chocolates? Especially the kids and the ladies who are the top consumers of this sweet delicacies. Even in the old times chocolates are the foundation of many beverages and desserts, up until now many companies created various flavors, sizes and colors of this sweet flavor either it be chocolate candies or chocolate drinks.