Origin in Mesoamerica
Chocolate has ancient roots, first cultivated by Mesoamerican people. The Olmecs, as early as 1500 BC, likely were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate.
Aztec Currency and Drink
For the Aztecs, cacao beans were valuable currency. Their 'xocolātl', a bitter drink spiced with vanilla and chili peppers, was believed to confer strength and was consumed by warriors.
European Sweet Adaptation
Chocolate arrived in Spain from the New World in the 16th century. It was sweetened with sugar and honey to cater to European tastes, diverging from its bitter origins.
Industrial Revolution Boom
The Industrial Revolution brought innovations like the chocolate press, which made it easier to produce solid chocolate. It became a mass-produced commodity, no longer a luxury item.
Milk Chocolate Creation
In 1875, Daniel Peter and Henri Nestlé invented milk chocolate in Switzerland by combining chocolate with powdered milk, changing the chocolate industry and consumer tastes forever.
Unique Cacao Varieties
Chocolate has complex flavors due to diverse cacao varieties. The rarest is Criollo, prized for its quality and flavor, but representing less than 3% of the world's chocolate.
Chocolate in Space
Proving its universal appeal, chocolate has even made it into space. Astronauts have enjoyed chocolate treats aboard space missions since the early days of NASA.
Who first cultivated chocolate?
The Mayans
The Aztecs
The Olmecs
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