The Latin name for Cacao – Theobroma Literally means “Food of the gods. This strange looking fruit that grows straight from the trunk of the Cacao tree played a very important roll in the history of Mesoamerican culture. The Cacao tree originates around the area we now know as Venezuela and some places Amazon River basin. The crop moved north with civilization into Central America, becoming a staple of civilizations such as the Mayans. Mesoamerican people would dry the bean of the cacao tree, roast it using clay vessels and then grind it with a stone and roller into a fine paste. They would then add herbs and sweeteners such as honey or sap before shaping the paste into a ball and letting it dry. Once the cacao ball dried they would shave it into a cup to make a hot frothy cacao beverage. This beverage was highly valued and drank at special events like weddings.
History of Cacao
