All About Chocolate
The cacao tree that is native to Central America provides the world with chocolate. Discovered by the ancient Mayans and Aztecs, chocoatl was made into a bitter, frothy beverage that became a large part of their culture. The name they gave it translates as “foam water,” to describe the frothy brew they created.
When the Spanish hit the shores of Mexico in the 1500s, they were introduced to the bitter drink the Aztecs loved. They took it back with them to Spain, where chefs discovered new ways to use it. It was kept hidden in Spain for almost a hundred years before other European countries discovered it. It quickly became a favored beverage of the royal families and their courts. Over the next 300 years, the Europeans came up with specialized china sets to use when drinking their newfound beverage. These sets are very hard to find today.
Hot chocolate evolved in Europe, becoming sweetened. With the other spices that were, also added, sweetened versions became the rage of high society. As time went on, they made it by melting bars of chocolate in hot cream. Plantations for cacao trees were built to keep the demand for it filled. These plantations were run by paid laborers and slave labor.
The industrial revolution also revolutionized the industry. It became affordable for more people. The invention of the cocoa press made it possible to make the smooth, creamy treats many of us enjoy today as well as drinking it as a beverage.
These desserts are now served all over. Pies, cakes, candies, and cookies are all made with it. You can also find more of it used in Mexican desserts. While they still love their hot chocolate beverage, they are happy to utilize this ingredient in a lot more recipes.
It has more uses than ever before. Not only do we enjoy it as a snack and for dessert, many chemicals from it are now used in medications and cosmetics. The leftover by-products from its production are used to feed cattle.
Processing cacao beans includes a period of fermenting. The result is then dried, cleaned and roasted before being ground into a powder. Dark chocolate, which is growing in popularity, is being praised for its health benefits. The more cacao in it, the better it is for you.
It is now associated with several holidays throughout the year. Valentine’s Day is often greeted with a heart-shaped box full of it. Chocolate bunnies and eggs are given to children at Easter. Halloween is full of all kinds of candy, most of which have at least some form of it added to them. Hanukkah and Christmas have many chocolate treats incorporated in the celebration of these holidays. It has become very important in the courtship rituals of many countries. Men give women gifts of it and flowers to show their affection.
It can currently be found as dark, milk, and white chocolate. The color is from the cocoa solids in the mixture. Milk chocolate is much sweeter than dark because it also contains condensed or powdered milk. White chocolate is not considered true chocolate by some people because it does not contain any cocoa solids, only cocoa butter.
Mexican food culture has gifted us with such wondrous foods as adobo sauce, guacamole and salsa. These three items alone can be used with many different main ingredients, making them extremely versatile. Add some salsa to the chicken you serve tonight and see for yourself.
