THEOBROMA – “FOOD OF GODS” by: Yamil Ruiz

Precedents:  The cocoa beans are originated in the Amazon or Orinoco Basins in South America. The Olmec civilizations are the first believed to grow cocoa beans, they would call it “kakawa” from where they made a drink called “xocolatl”. The Olmec gave much of their culture to the Maya.  The Maya call it “cacau”, they traded with the Aztecs using the cocoa beans as a money system; for example:100 beans would buy a slave,12 beans the services of a courtesan and10 beans a rabbit. The Aztecs would call it “cacahuatl”.  The Aztecs discovered the cocoa beans use making the “xocolatl” drink and sharing it with Spaniards Explorers that came to their land.  The first one to carry cocoa beans to Spain was Christopher Colombus by 1502 but was his fellow countryman Hernan Cortes who saw the potential and brought them back to Veracruz by Cortes reported the King of Spain by that time, Carlos I, that “a cup of this precious drink would enable a man to walk a whole day without food!”

Significance:  The Aztecs would prepare the drink by smashing the cocoa beans making them into powder and then mixing it with water. They would mixed it up well and then drink it, an example from this days would be Kool-Aid.  By doing this ancient Aztecs believed that Tonacatecutli, the goddess of food and Calchiuhtlucue, the goddess of water were the guardian goddesses of cocoa. Each year they would perform human sacrifices for the goddesses giving the victims cocoa at his last meal.  Aztecs believed that cocoa was a source of wisdom, incredible energy and elevated sexual power. This is one of the reasons that they only the elite Aztecs would drink “xocolatl”.  A report Eleine Sherman wrote “chocolate is heavenly, mellow, sensual, deep, sumptuous, seductive, smooth, excessive”, etc.

Influences and connections to the present:  It was used for medical reasons.  Carlos I in Spain was the first one who had the idea to mix the cocoa with sugar, canella and vanilla.  The first commercial factory began in the U.K. in Bristol (1728), J.S. Fry and son were credited for the creation of the first chocolate bar, but still it wasn’t very tasteful.  In 1876 Henri Nestle invented the milk chocolate bar, adding milk and extra sugar. Later Milton Hershey was the first one to mass produce the chocolate for 5 cents!!! In  Since then chocolate has become one of the favorite desserts or snacks of all time. It has had a lot of influence in the media, for example: “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory” in (1971).  It has become the official gift for Valentine’s Day. Chocolate says a thousand "thank you's", "good luck", or "I love you“.

Interesting Facts:  Scientists have found in chocolate substances like phenyl ethylamine, part of the endorphins found in the human body when this is released to the blood stream the mood is lifted creating positive feelings, this have also been linked to falling in love.  Debra Waterhouse, author of why women need chocolate, conducted a survey and founds 97% of women reported cravings, 68% of which are for chocolate, 50% would choose chocolate over sex and 22% as a mood elevator.  As a tribute to Moctezuma received, daily, 50 cups of chocolate and always fortified himself with a cup after entertaining his harem.  Although it will never be considered a health food for its nutritional values chocolate its still good for you! Because anything that relieve stress is good for your Heart and your soul.

Questions:  What can you elaborate on the idea that this native civilizations of the Americas worshiped Chocolate?  What other influences do you think it has had on present day?  What comes to your mind when people say chocolate?

El Fin!