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| The "chocolate tree" (kah KOW) originated in South America's Amazon basin. With its roots in the tropical rainforest. The word "chocolate" is said to derive from the Mayan "xocoatl"; cocoa from the Aztec"cacahuatl." The Mexican Indian word "chocolate" comes from a combination of the terms choco ("foam") and atl ("water"); early chocolate was only consumed in beverage form. The Olmec Indians are believed to be the first to grow cocoa beans as a domestic crop around 1500 BC-400 BC. Mayans migrate into northern regions of South America establishing earliest known cocoa plantations in the Yucatan around 600 AD. The consumption of cocoa beans was restricted to the Mayan society's elite, in the form of an unsweetened cocoa drink. The Maya and Aztec were the first to create a drink from crushed cocoa beans mixed with water and flavourings such as chilli peppers, vanilla, and other spices. It was a special beverage reserved for Mayan rulers and special ceremonies. The official name of the cocoa tree is Theobroma cacao. ("Theobroma" is Latin for "food of the gods.") Aztec Indian legend held that cacao seeds had been brought from Paradise and that wisdom and power came from eating the fruit of the cacao tree. They considered it a valuable commodity, used both as a means of payment and as units of calculation. In the 14th Century the drink became popular among the Aztec upper classes who acquired the cocoa beverage from the Mayans and were the first to tax the beans. The Aztecs called it "xocalatl" meaning warm or bitter liquid. The Aztecs created a powerful empire, and their armies conquered Mexico. Tributes in the form of food, cloth and luxury items such as cocoa beans. The Aztecs had many gods. One god, Quetzalcoatl, creator god and provider of agriculture, was particularly associated with cocoa beans. In Tenochtitlan and Moctezuma Great temples were built to honour him , Montezuma the Aztecs ruler particularly revered him. In 1502 Columbus encountered a great Mayan trading canoe in Guanaja carrying cocoa beans as cargo. Christopher Columbus is said to have brought back cacao beans to King Ferdinand from his fourth visit to the New World, but they were overlooked in favour of the many other treasures he had found. Continue to A Spanish Conquest Questions or problems regarding this web site should be directed to [Chocolate Design U.K.] Copyright © 2002 Chocolate Design Promotional Products - Wedding Favours: We are the specialists in Chocolate. |