No matter how old you get, there is one stress buster that you will always love; Chocolate. Whether you’re a dessert lover or not, one thing you cannot say no to is a piece of chocolate. The rich signature essence of chocolate is enough to bring back all the happy memories and have a calming effect on one’s body and mind. Studies have shown that including chocolate in your diet can help increase your heart health, boost your serotonin, and help overall weight management. Before you proceed further with its popularity, let’s look at chocolate’s history.
Here Are a Few Things You Should Know About the History of Chocolate!
One of the most loved and popular ways of showing your affection towards someone is giving them a box of their favorite chocolates. On cozy winter nights, all you crave is; a comfortable, warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate. Millions of desserts use chocolates as one of their crucial ingredients, and it is considered one of the most unique products in the world. But where did this delicacy originate? What made it so popular that now we can’t get enough of it? Let’s find out by reading the following points.
Origin of Chocolate
The Cacao tree, whose beans are, used for making chocolate, was first cultivated by the Mayans, Aztecs, and Toltecs approximately 3000 years ago.
A ritualistic beverage was; made from cacao beans that had an elite taste and hence were one of the most popular beverages in that era. The Cacao tree was considered to; be one of the sacred trees. The bean was worshipped before its consumption.
Introduction of Chocolate to Foreign Countries
Spain is considered one of the earliest European countries to include chocolate in its cuisine. In 1519, the Aztec ruler of Mexico, Montezuma-II, presented the Spanish conqueror Hernan Cortes with a bitter-sweet drink made of Cacao beans. It is, estimated that this is how the Spanish; were introduced to chocolate; later, chocolate arrived in Spain in 1544 at the court of Prince Phillip.
A hot beverage made with sweetened and flavored chocolate, cinnamon, and vanilla became; a popular drink at the Spanish court. It wasn’t after several years that chocolate gained popularity in other European countries such as France and England.
Birth of Modern-Era Chocolate
When chocolate reached England, it too was touched by the country’s Industrial Revolution. The invention of the chocolate press was one of the most significant game-changers in the art of chocolate making.
The chocolate press separated the chocolate butter from the cacao beans, leaving a fine powder behind. This powder was mixed with different liquids and poured into a mould, thus giving birth to the modern-day chocolate bars as we know them.
Now that you have an insight into the delightful history of chocolate, we know you must be craving a box of the most delicious chocolates for yourself so you can appreciate this tasty delicacy. So don’t wait any longer and visit the best dessert places in Dubai and gift yourself a box of the best chocolates!
