Sejarah kakao dan masuknya ke indonesia | The history of cocoa entered Indonesia

Summary

This video explores the fascinating journey of the cacao tree from its origins in Central America to its arrival in Indonesia. The script traces cacao’s early use by the Aztec and Maya civilizations, its introduction to Europe by Columbus, and its eventual spread across the world. After reaching Spain, it was sweetened with sugar and became a popular drink. In the 19th century, cacao was introduced to the Philippines and then to Indonesia, where it was cultivated extensively. The video highlights the different cacao varieties and their importance to Indonesian agriculture today.

Takeaways

• 😀 Cocoa, or kakao, has a rich history dating back over 4,000 years, originating in Central America, specifically Mexico.
• 😀 The Aztec and Maya civilizations viewed cocoa as a luxury food, reserved for the elite and even used as a sacred substance.
• 😀 The Maya initially consumed cocoa by sucking on its sweet pulp, but later developed methods to make drinks and use it in cooking.
• 😀 By the 3rd century BCE, the Maya were already making cold cocoa drinks, and the Inca used cocoa as a spice in hot beverages.
• 😀 In 1522, cocoa was introduced to Europe by Christopher Columbus during his explorations in the Americas, where he encountered the Maya.
• 😀 Initially, cocoa was considered bitter and unappealing in Europe until Spanish monks mixed it with sugar, creating a more palatable version.
• 😀 By the 17th century, cocoa became widely popular in Europe, especially after it was mixed with sugar, transforming into a desirable drink.
• 😀 Cocoa reached the Philippines in the 19th century, spread by the Spanish, and later found its way to Indonesia via trade routes.
• 😀 In Indonesia, cocoa was first introduced to Sulawesi by traders and became more widely cultivated during the Dutch colonial period.
• 😀 The Dutch brought the 'Forastero' variety of cocoa to Indonesia in the late 1800s to replace damaged coffee and tea crops, leading to its widespread cultivation.
• 😀 Today, Indonesia is one of the world’s top cocoa producers, and hybrid cocoa varieties like 'Trinitario' are being developed to improve the industry.

Q & A

Where did the history of the cocoa tree begin?

The history of the cocoa tree began in Central America, specifically in Mexico, around 4,000 years ago, where it was cultivated by the Aztec and Maya civilizations.

How did the ancient Maya and Aztec people use cocoa?

The Maya and Aztec people initially consumed cocoa by sucking on the placenta of the cocoa fruit, enjoying its sweet taste. Later, they began to process cocoa beans into a drink and used it as a food ingredient.

How did the Maya and Inca civilizations differ in their use of cocoa?

The Maya started turning cocoa beans into cold drinks and food seasonings, while the Inca processed cocoa into powder, which was then mixed with hot water to make chocolate beverages.

How did Columbus come into contact with cocoa?

During his exploration of the Americas in 1522, Columbus encountered the Maya people, who introduced him to the cocoa fruit. He was intrigued by the sacred and valuable role cocoa played in Maya society.

Why did the Spaniards initially not find cocoa appealing?

The Spaniards found the taste of cocoa bitter and unremarkable. However, monks in Spain started adding sugar to it, creating a more palatable version that eventually became popular across Europe.

When did chocolate production spread in Europe?

By 1055, chocolate production spread throughout Europe and quickly became popular among Europeans, especially as the taste of cocoa was improved with the addition of sugar.

How did cocoa eventually make its way to Asia, including Indonesia?

In the 19th century, when cocoa became a valuable commodity in Europe, the Spanish started cultivating cocoa in their colonies, like the Philippines. From there, cocoa was introduced to other parts of Asia, including Indonesia, through trade routes.

When did cocoa cultivation begin in Indonesia?

Cocoa cultivation in Indonesia began in the 1880s when the Dutch, after their coffee and tea crops were damaged by disease, introduced cocoa from Venezuela as a replacement crop.

What varieties of cocoa were introduced to Indonesia?

Two varieties of cocoa were introduced to Indonesia: Criollo, brought by the Portuguese, and Forastero, brought by the Dutch from Venezuela. Over time, the hybrid variety, Trinitario, was developed through crossbreeding.

Why is the Forastero cocoa variety more commonly grown in Indonesia today?

The Forastero variety is more commonly grown in Indonesia because it is more resilient and adaptable to local conditions compared to the other varieties, making it the preferred choice for farmers.