History of Chocolate I - From Olmecs to Aztecs

Chocolate is surefire way to  lighten the spirit and brighten  the mind. Its sweet aroma is  reminiscent of our childhood and  its smoothness carries us away to  a quiet state of mind. Deep in  flavor, chocolate takes over the  senses and offers a pleasurable  sensation of comfort and  well-being. 

But how is it that chocolate was  invented? Who was it, in fact,  that first discovered this divine  concoction?

We know that chocolate is  produced from the cacao bean of the Theobroma cacao  tree. But while the origin of  the word Theobroma is derived from  Greek, meaning "food of the  gods," the cacao bean had its  beginnings long before the Greek  name was given to the cacao tree.

The cacao bean was first used by Mesoamerican civilizations that  existed prior to the New World.  Its use was pioneered by the  Olmecs, as their territories'  geography offered optimum  climatic conditions for the cacao  tree to grow. 

After the Olmec civilization  declined, the Mayans settled  in what is now southern Mexico.  Following the Olmecs'  tradition, the Mayans cultivated  the cacao tree and praised its  beans as offerings from the gods.

Over time, the cacao bean came to  represent fertility and life,  quickly becoming a prominent  symbol of Mayan literature and  art.

Following the Classic Mayan  period, a time of bloom and  prosperity, the first cacao bean  drink was brewed.

The infusion was dark and bitter, sometimes mixed with ground  maize for thicker consistency  and texture.

Despite its unusual  characteristics, the brew was an  important achievement for the  Mayans and was deemed a  luxury drink only  enjoyed by royalty. It was also used in some  cases as an offering in  traditional rituals.   Following the fall of the Mayan  civilization, the Toltec and  Aztecs took over what was Mayan  territory, and with that, the  cultivation of the cacao bean.  The story goes that the Toltec  king had fallen ill and was given  an unusual medicine to cure the  disease. As opposed to making him  better, the drink drove him  insane, forcing him to leave his  kingdom promising to return some day.   With no king,  the demise of the Toltec empire  was inevitable, but the Aztects  remained along with the mystical  prediction that a white-faced  ruler would return for his  kingdom in 1519.