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Chocolate

Chocolate and Its Shadowy Beginnings

Chocolate, as most of you will already know, comes from the beans (or seeds) of the cacao plant. It was discovered about 2000 years ago in the tropical rain forests of the Americas. The first people that we know to have used chocolate are the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America. More evidence comes from the records of the Maya (250-900 CE) who made the cacao beens into a bitter and frothy beverage that was mixed with spices, chile peppers, and even cornmeal! This was a far cry indeed from modern day gourmet chocolate. Later, chocolate was thought to have medicinal purposes. Today, studies have been done that reveal dark chocolate (not white chocolate or milk chocolate) have health benefits.

The Aztecs Take on Cacao

By 1400, the Aztecs ruled over most of Mesoamerica and traded with the Maya people from which they too adopted the traditional beverage. Both the Mayan and Aztec cultures utilized the "chocolate" beverage for royal and religious ceremonies and was not consumed by the masses, but rather reserved for offerings to the gods and served during religious ceremonies.

Europeans made first contact with the area in 1521 and immediately recognized the potential that chocolate held. They soon began shipping large amounts back to the Old World. The Spanish would be the first to make any headway with what would become European chocolate by adding various spices and, most importantly, sugar. They even managed to keep chocolate a secret from the rest of Europe for an entire century.

But soon the word got out and caught on all over Europe. It was an expensive import and thus remained an elite beverage and status symbol for Europe's upper classes for the next 300 years. The French took it so far as to make it a state monopoly that could only be purchased by nobility. It would, however go through many more changes before it took the form of our beloved chocolate chips. It stayed a beverage until well into the 19th century and would not solidify into the famous chocolate chip until 1930! And with that, chocolate chip cookies were born. You've come a long way, chocolate!

We must say that we are indeed quite impressed. Your chocolate candies are a dream to indulge in. They are yummy in the tummy. They taste good as anything, and better than most. Go get yourself chocolate gifts and let's make a toast. The chocolate gift is the treat with the most!

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