The tree of paradise Chocolate ready seed based cocoa be found tree cacao or cocoa belonging family of Esterculiáceas. The naturalist Carl von Linneo appointed this chinaberry evergreen with name Theobroma cacao <árbol del cacao>
Throughout thousand years indigenous came pointing in stories gods alone did deserved enjoy fruit.
may almost one of those who eat chocolate experience the beauty of cocoa, originally grown in the lush jungles of Central and South America, on both sides of Ecuador.
Cocoa first appeared in tropical rain forests on the banks of the Amazon in South America and then brought to Mexico and Costa Rica. At present, these trees are grown within a radius of 20 ° north and south of Ecuador.
The word "chocolate" drift term Aztec xocoatl , meaning bitter drink . Emperor Aztec Moctezuma used drink in religion and seeds served coins (Aztecs gave name cacahuatl) with which conquered provinces paid taxes sovereigns Aztecs.
Since ancient chocolate has associated with pleasure, passion, energy e even better pontencia sexual.De fact beverages chocolate preparing Aztecs were prized supplement Bridal.
The tradition records that Moctezuma was known for drinking chocolate all day and always, before entering the harem, drank a pitcher of chocolate. Thanks to its Aztec warriors also ate chocolate to recharge before the military campaigns.
Of course, the chocolate used by the Aztecs when the first Europeans arrived in Central America was very different from what we conocemos.Era a bitter brew made with cocoa beans. The fruit is put into a pot of dried clay and fire. Then seeds crushed between two stones until leave as flour. This species of flour put elsewhere vessel where soaked gradually water since which added chili or pepper long. The resulting liquid could thicken cornmeal until power point shape Cake if necessary. Thus chocolate could take as drink could eat as biscuit or a species oatmeal.
Cocoa as beverage reached Europe when Columbus and Cortés delivered some seeds King of Spain between 1502 and 1528. The English they added sugar and cinnamon and heated to have better taste. They kept this secret drink for a century or so. Later, it was introduced in France, and around 1657 in England and the Dutch and British colonies of North America.
