Chocolate

• Understanding Chocolate

The History of Chocolate, Part II: Chocolate Comes to Europe

During the conquest of Mexico in 1521, the Spaniards had their first contact with chocolate. They observed the Aztecs consumption of the chocolate drink, and realized the value of the cacao. They soon aquired a taste for the chocolate drink and began shipping the seeds home. Chocolate remained an elite beverage only for the wealthy for the next three hundred years.

When the Spanish brought the cacao seeds home, they sweetened it with sugar and added new spices such as cinnamon. The result was a sweet beverage that became popular throughout Spain. It was kept a Spanish secret for the next 100 years. Sweetened chocolate was then discovered by other countries and spread throughout the rest of Europe, becoming very popular.

Chocolate is Brought to Europe.

Chocolate still remained a symbol of wealth and power, due to the high cost of both sugar and cacao. In France it was even officially restricted to only the French royal court.

Ceremonies and traditions began to be established for the consumption of the chocolate drink, much like the Aztecs and Mayans (although chocolate wasn't used in religious ceremonies). Fine porcelain and silver cups and serving dishes and cutlery were designed for the chocolate drink, and served to further chocolate's reputation as a symbol of power and wealth.

As the demand for cacao and sugar increased, farmers had to find new ways to grow the plant. Spain and other European nations started colonial plantations dedicated to growing these plants.