Chocolate Truffle by: https://pixabay.com/en/dark-chocolate-truffle-dessert-953248/

 

Throughout history, chocolate has transformed from a treat made for kings into everyday candy most children have access to. In American culture, chocolate can be found everywhere from Halloween candy given out by the handfuls, to exotic handmade chocolate sculptures. There is a wide spectrum of cultures cocoa reaches. Many folks in the United States can relate to childhood chocolate as the classic Hersey’s bar they ate in smores around the campfire or as a sweet treat from a loved one. Years later, chocolate can be sensual, romantic food in adult culture.  Chocolate products in developed countries now are using a huge variety of flavors and quality beans.

On the other side of the world, South America still uses chocolate in the ancient form of drinking chocolate. Gatherings typically showcase the spicy, frothy beverage reserved for special occasions. As one can assume, cacao beans go through much less processing and will cost a significant amount less to produce the end product in areas closer to the equator where cacao trees are native.

Modern cuisine has advanced chocolate to continue being used as delicacy for the rich and privileged. This tradition has carried on through the centuries and shows no signs of extinguishing in the future. From the Mayans to millionaires eating ganache that traveled thousands of miles, chocolate continues to demonstrate class standing around the world.

Drinking Chocolate: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Drinking_chocolate,_Portland.jpg

 

The latin name for cacao Theobroma, this literally means ‘food of the gods’. This gives a valued name to cacao in many South American cultures. The oldest forms of cocoa have been found in Olmeca history as a rich drink, chocolatl. It is said that this community discovered that edible qualities of cacao after seeing rats devouring the fresh fallen fruit. Later the Mayans and Aztecs used this product in sacred events such as marriage proposals and ceremonies. Cocoa production advanced throughout the following decades but remained as a drink for the privileged. In the 16^th century the Spanish court became big fans of cocoa. They started adding flavor enhancers such as sugar, vanilla and cinnamon.

In 1585, the first shipment of cacao beans arrived on the Iberian Peninsula and the grand establishment of chocolate was launched in the new world. During the 17^th century chocolate beverages began to appear in Europe French and English courts. The first chocolate-confection maker was found in Paris and around 60 years later the Italians became prize winners for their high quality products. In the years leading up to 1800, North America discovered the cocoa wonders and the first chocolate factories began opening around the world. The industrial revolution had the most dramatic effect on chocolate culture. It transformed the rare delicacy into a hot commodity, easily accessible to the public.