How has chocolate evolved over time?

Chocolate’s 4,000-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica, present day Mexico. It’s here that the first cacao plants were found. … Mayans poured this mixture from one pot to another, creating a thick foamy beverage called “xocolatl”, meaning “bitter water.” By the 15th century, the Aztecs used cocoa beans as currency.

How was chocolate used back then?

The history of chocolate began in Mesoamerica. Fermented beverages made from chocolate date back to 450 BC. … Originally prepared only as a drink, chocolate was served as a bitter liquid, mixed with spices or corn puree. It was believed to be an aphrodisiac and to give the drinker strength.

How is chocolate used today?

Much of the chocolate consumed today is in the form of sweet chocolate, a combination of cocoa solids, cocoa butter or added vegetable oils, and sugar. … Chocolate is also used in cold and hot beverages, such as chocolate milk and hot chocolate, and in some alcoholic drinks, such as creme de cacao.

Who first ate chocolate?

Olmec
The first people to use chocolate were probably the Olmec of what is today southeast Mexico. They lived in the area around 1000 BC, and their word, “kakawa,” gave us our word “cacao.” Unfortunately, that’s all we know. We don’t know how (or even if) the Olmec actually used chocolate.

Why was chocolate kept a secret for 100 years?

When Spanish explorer Hernan Cortes conquered the aztec empire in 1521 he exported their chocolate drink back to Spain. Chocolate was kept a secret by the Spanish court for almost a hundred years. … Because cacao and sugar were expensive imports, only those with money could afford to drink chocolate.

Is chocolate made with poop?

In fact, the entire gimmick behind this chocolate bar is the fact that it contains poop. It contains the poop of a civet cat (or kopy luwak) from Indonesia. … It’s kind of hard to tell because dark chocolate/cocoa beans taste similar to coffee beans. They’re both bitter, and can be slightly astringent.

Why do we like chocolate?

People in general crave chocolate because it tastes good, it smells good, and it feels awesome when it melts in our mouths. … Eating chocolate actually releases dopamine, a feel-good neurotransmitter, into particular regions of the brain: the frontal lobe, hippocampus and hypothalamus.

How did chocolate become so popular?

Chocolate only truly became popular in Europe after they added their own flavorings such as sugar and vanilla, compared to the popular chili peppers added by the mesoamericans. … Not many people know this today, but chocolate is made from the beans contained within this cacao fruit.

Who invented milk chocolate?

Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter is generally credited for adding dried milk powder to chocolate to create milk chocolate in 1876. But it wasn’t until several years later that he worked with his friend Henri Nestle and they created the Nestle Company and brought milk chocolate to the mass market.

Why was chocolate so important?

Originally consumed as a bitter drink, it was prized as both an aphrodisiac and an energy booster. Originally consumed as a bitter drink, it was prized as both an aphrodisiac and an energy booster. Mankind’s love affair with chocolate stretches back more than five millennia.

When did chocolate become known worldwide?

It was only in the early 19th century that chocolate became easier to produce and by the mid-19th century, it could finally be produced in a solid form. By the late 19th century, chocolate became a mass consumption item that spread to all classes. Many well-known brands soon developed in the early 20th century.

What changes made chocolate production easier in the 19th and 20th centuries?

During the 19th century, chocolate became available to the masses because of industrial changes in production, new recipes and the improved treatment of workers, culminating in a dramatic increase in the consumption of chocolate.

Does chocolate make you happier?

The body uses it to produce the mood-elevating substance of serotonin – also known as the happiness hormone. The sugar in the chocolate also plays a role in this. Because the insulin released in response to the sugar facilitates the journey of the tryptophan to the brain where it engenders happiness.

What happens if you eat chocolate everyday?

Eating chocolate may decrease your risk of stroke. … Chocolate consumption may help prevent formation of artery plaques and improve blood flow. Chocolate may also have anti-cancer benefits because the flavonoids in chocolate may help reduce cell damage that can spur tumor growth.

Is chocolate a medicine?

Addiction and Eating Disorders Problems

Chocolate is not a controlled substance, and it cannot be prescribed — meaning for all intents and purposes, it is not a medicine. However, for a person who has been struggling with compulsive overeating or any other type of eating disorder, chocolate can act like a medicine.

Is chocolate a fruit?

Ladies and gentlemen, chocolate is indeed a vegetable according the Wiki. Some also argue that it is a fruit, however regardless of your stance, it is in fact good for you. Chocolate is a product of the cacao bean which grows in pod- like fruits on tropical cacao trees.

Why can’t dogs eat chocolates?

Chocolate is poisonous to dogs mostly because of its theobromine content, which dogs are unable to metabolize effectively. If your dog eats chocolate, you should monitor them closely and seek veterinary attention if they show any symptoms, or if they are very young, enceinte or have other health concerns.

Why does venom eat brains and chocolate?

Venom requires brains and chocolate to survive. Marvel’s comics explain that Venom has a biological need for the two substances. In the comics, brains and chocolate are prime sources for phenethylamine, a compound that positively affects mood and that Venom needs to live.

What do you call a chocolate lover?

A chocoholic is a person who craves or compulsively consumes chocolate. The word “chocoholic” was first used in 1968, according to Merriam-Webster. It is a portmanteau of “chocolate” and “alcoholic”.

Can I give my dog milk?

Milk is a safe treat in small quantities. A few tablespoons of cow’s milk or goat’s milk on an occasional basis can be a nice reward for your dog without the side effects of overindulgence. … The beverage is high in fat and natural sugars, which is another reason to feed it to your pup in small quantities.