WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED CHOCOLATE? Think about a world in which it had never been discovered. Imagine that the ancient Mayans never climbed a forty foot tree on which grew a pod, and found in the pod, not a pea, but a bean they christened Cacao, which they eventually called," food of the spirits". Unthinkable!x
The Mayans worshipped the cacoa bean as a heavenly gift. I'm not arguing against that...I do not worship false idols, and certainly am careful about what I place on a pedestal. Yes, I fell for chocolate a long time ago when it presented itself as a kiss. The beans were used historically to heal many ailments. The Mayans drank hot cocoa in its bitter state. Spices such as chili peppers were added. The Aztecs were the ones who added vanilla beans and honey.
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Skipping ahead a bit, currently scientists are studying chocolate and how it changes the brain. In it's raw form, chocolate is more addictive than heroin. Recent research in Sweden shows victims of heart disease are 70% less likely to have cardiac problems if they eat chocolate. Even eating it once a week can help. Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants, but there is a caution..and that's the sugar that helps to make it what we want it to be.
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Let's pause here to give a nod to Christopher Columbus, who did more than discover the New World. He returned with the first cocoa beans. And by 1528 Cortes returned to Spain with the equipment to brew chocolate. Originally the "heavenly gift" was available only to royalty. Finally by the 17th Century, the beans became available to the masses, and Chocolate Houses became popular in England. In the 1800's Johannes Van Houten, in Holland, produced cocoa powder, and candy companies made fortunes producing chocolate candy, as well as cocoa powder for beverages. Van Houten still is known for their product.
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I salute the first Mayan who decided to climb a forty foot tree, perhaps out of curiosity to find a pea, and instead discovered a universal obsession. And I want to leave it in your hands to choose your chocolate of choice today...no recipes...just indulgence. Go ahead, melt some chocolate, lick a spoon..or pop a truffle, serve some double chocolate chip ice cream...have a slice of devil's food cake...just do it, do it, do it...I'm with you all the way...
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