Chocolate Story
You may take it for granted when you see a display of chocolate confectionery in your local shop, but do you ever stop to think about how this indulgent luxury first came to be?
Chocolate has taken a global journey spanning 3000 years to evolve into the much-loved treat you know today ..the one you see in shops all around the world.
South America
The journey begins with the Olmecs at around 1000 BC. Settled along the southern Gulf of Mexico, the climate was ideal for the cultivation of cocoa including heat, moisture and shadow. It's also known that the word cocoa derives from the Olmecs who called it 'cacao' (kakawa).
By the year 600AD, the Mayas had taken over from the Olmecs and populated such areas as Yucatan, South Mexico, the Pacific coast and Guatemala (again, all very good regions for cultivating cocoa). For the Mayas, cocoa was a present from God and it was a symbol of life and fertility. Such was their liking for cocoa, they were keen to maximise it's usage and managed to develop a bitter cocoa drink, which became a luxury for kings and aristocrats. For additional taste and variation, they spiced up the drink with hot chilli and pepper!
Chocolate Story
Cocoa continued to grow in popularity. By 1200, the Aztecs had become a vibrant community in Mexico and considered cocoa of great value. For them, cocoa was more than just a consumable treat, it acted as currency - 100 beans would buy one slave!
The Aztecs regarded cocoa beans as a pure source of wisdom, energy and sexual potency! Legend has it that the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, consumed 50 cups of chocolate drink every day. Indeed his love and belief in cocoa was so much, that when he died his grave was laced 
with over one billion cocoa beans for an enriched after life.
Europe
Cocoa was introduced to Europe after Christopher Columbus returned from his fourth voyage to America in 1502.
However, it was Hernando Cortez who first realised the true value of cocoa beans. After conquering Mexico in 1528, he was given a chocolate drink to try at the court of Montezuma. So impressed by the fact that the Aztecs used cocoa beans as currency, he left Mexico with his own consignment and seeded plantations on Trinidad, Haiti and the West African Island of Bioko. His intention was clear - to grow "money" that he could use to buy gold from the Aztecs.
Like the Aztecs, the Spanish also used cocoa beans as a source of currency. Here is a price list from the time:
- 1 Turkey = 200 Cocoa Beans
- 1 Hare = 100 Cocoa Beans
- 1 Tomato = 1 Cocoa Bean
- 1 Fish = 3 Cocoa Beans
Chocolate Story
It wasn't until the 19th century that chocolate as we know it today, began to develop...
1828 Conrad van Houten, a Dutch chemist, learnt to press cocoa butter out of chocolate liquor. This allowed the production of cocoa powder to take place.
1848 Conrad van Houten added cocoa butter and sugar to melted chocolate liquor and "eating
chocolate" was created.
1875 Daniel Peter and Henri Nestle combined chocolate and milk powder and created the first Milk Chocolate Bar.
1879 Rodolphe Lindt produced chocolate that melts on the tongue. He developed the "conching" process that gives chocolate its smooth texture.
Chocolate as we know it, had arrived.
