This topic post is dedicated to my sister who wanted to learn more about chocolate. I know a lot about chocolate and even got the chance to make my own chocolate back in 2019. I will be sharing a brief history about the chocolate, the plant itself, cultivation and how it’s used and ways I’ve used it.
Cacao, What Is It?
Cacao comes from the cacao tree, Theobroma Cacao, which lives in tropical climates. The cacao tree is native to the Amazon Rainforest, which is a tropical forest in South America. The cacao beans are processed in many ways, typically used in making desserts, drinks, and food. The tree grows to 20-39 feet tall and produces little small white flowers that are grown in clusters. The fruit pods can grow up to 12 inches, as it matures the pods turn from yellow to orange. The cacao pods can grow from the trunk or branches. Inside the pod, the cacao is coated with an edible sweet white pulp. Each pod can house 35-50 soft lavender purple seeds. As they ferment they become brown and dried. The pulp is also harvested to make juice.
History
The cacao bean is rich in history. It was first domesticated about 5,300 years ago by natives in South America before it got introduced to Mesoamerica. The cacao was used in spiritual ceremonial practices by the Mayans, also used during feasts, celebrations and medicinal purposes. They would make the cacao into a drink before their ceremonies, believing it would give the user a calming effect when consumed before a ritual. To prepare the drink they would mix the cacao paste with cornmeal, chile peppers and water, then transfer the mixture back and forth into pots creating a foam on the surface. Today people still use cacao in their ceremonies as well as implement them into their spiritual practices. Chocolate is shown to have many health benefits, particularly dark chocolate which is high in antioxidants and minerals. One benefit of eating dark chocolate is that it can improve brain function by increased blood flow.
In the past cacao beans were used as currency to buy various things. The Aztecs also made use of cacao, they themselves did not cultivate the cacao. Instead they had to import them. The Aztec empire, during pre-columbian times, thought highly of cacao and often used it as an offering to their gods. Compared to the Mayans, the Aztecs drank their cacao cold and were also consumed in various practices to lift their spirits.
In about the 16th century, cacao arrived in Europe where they began to add sugar in the process, which became popular with the Europeans. Taking inspiration from the Aztecs after the Spanish conquest, the Europeans also consumed cacao as a beverage adding sugar and honey to mask the bitterness. Since cacao is very bitter they also used it as medicine for an upset stomach. In Europe it was first consumed by those who were wealthier, until the steam engine was created which allowed them to mass produce cacao. Now you can find chocolate all over the world, mixed in various food items. It is also seen as a super food with many health benefits. Though cacao also has a dark history in child slavery and trafficking. Exploiting children to harvest the cacao, carrying heavy loads and risking their health by being exposed to toxic pesticides.
How I use it
Cacao is one of those things that once you try the real deal all other chocolates are inferior. Maybe it’s an American thing, but alot of our chocolate products do not have chocolate in them. They are chocolate flavored candy with no trace of chocolate. You can definitely taste the difference in quality between candy and actual chocolate. In 2019 I got to learn firsthand all about how chocolate is made. It was one of the best experiences in my life to take a cooking class about latino cooking. In this particular class It was all about Guatemalan cooking. So they showed us how to make tamales and toast and grind our own chocolate paste. We then got to bring home our creations but I can't remember what I did with my ball of chocolate paste. Before toasting the seeds you need to let cacao seeds ferment for a couple days so the bitterness of the cacao turns sweeter due to the sweet pulp that encapsulates it. Once it is ready, you toast them in a pan or in an oven till they are nice and toasted. Once toasted the outer layer of the seed is peeled off. There are various ways to grind cacao, though the cooking class showed us how they grind it in a hand cranked grinder, mixed with sugar and cinnamon for sweetness and taste. Out of the grinder the cacao turns into a paste due to the natural fats in the cacao. Imagine ground up peanuts turning into natural peanut butter. The peanut butter naturally has oils and fats that make it so creamy. From there you can use the chocolate in a drink or add it to your cooking. Similarly, in Nicaragua we have this Cacao drink that mixes cacao and corn or rice instead of corn in the mixture which is then later grounded up to make a drink. Very delicious and refreshing chocolate drink, beats nesquik hands down.
Taking this class made me feel closer to my culture. Growing up in America you get accustomed to your environment, there is a whole other culture you adapt to. I’ve always struggled feeling a connection to my culture, so cooking gives me that connection. On my recent travels to Guatemala my grandmother bought me a cookbook because I showed interest in cooking traditional foods. So far I have made a tamale called paches as well as chuchitos. There are so many other recipes I'd love to try, I hope you stick around to see what else I make.
References:
“Theobroma Cacao.” Wikipedia 30 March 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theobroma_cacao. Accessed 11 April 2024
“Cacao seeds are a "Super Fruit": A comparative analysis of various fruit powders and products.” NCBI 07 February 2011, Cacao seeds are a "Super Fruit": A comparative analysis of various fruit powders and products - PMC
“Chocolate.” Wikipedia 12 December 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate
“Cocoa Bean.” Wikipedia 30 December 2024, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cocoa_bean
If you like this post, give it a like! Happy birthday little sister I hope you enjoyed this post! This year I am dedicated to post once a week. That means 52 posts for the year. They will be divided into Update posts, informational, stories and crafting. I had many more photos of the event I attended but they unfortunately got lost.
Important Dates!
Jan. 15th: Blog Post
Jan. 22nd: Blog Post
Jan. 29th: Blog Post
Feb. 1st: Comic Resumes
-no events scheduled
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