The history of chocolate - Deanna Pucciarelli

Summary

The script delves into the rich history of chocolate, from its origins in Mesoamerica as a bitter, frothy drink to its transformation into a global delicacy. It highlights the cultural significance of cacao in ancient civilizations, the Spanish court's sweetening of the beverage, and the industrial revolution that made chocolate accessible to the masses. However, it also uncovers the dark side of the chocolate industry, including the use of slave labor and child labor in modern cocoa production, raising awareness of the complex ethical issues behind our beloved treat.

Takeaways

• 🍫 Chocolate's origins date back to 1900 BCE in Mesoamerica, where it was consumed as a bitter, frothy drink.
• 🌟 Mesoamericans considered cacao a divine gift from the feathered serpent god, using it in rituals and as a form of currency.
• 💰 Aztecs valued cacao beans highly, using them as a form of payment and rewarding soldiers with chocolate.
• 🌐 The first European encounter with chocolate was in 1519 when Hernán Cortés met Moctezuma, introducing chocolate to the Old World.
• 💡 Early chocolate had a bitter taste and was initially used for medicinal purposes, but quickly became a sweet delicacy in the Spanish court.
• 🏭 The industrialization of chocolate began in 1828 with the invention of the cocoa press by Coenraad van Houten, which separated cocoa butter and allowed for the creation of solid chocolate.
• 🥛 The addition of powdered milk by Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter in the late 19th century led to the invention of milk chocolate.
• 🌍 By the 20th century, chocolate became widely available to the public, but this demand led to increased cocoa cultivation, primarily in West Africa.
• 📈 Côte d'Ivoire emerged as a major cocoa producer, supplying a significant portion of the world's cocoa as of 2015.
• 😔 The chocolate industry has been linked to human rights abuses, including child and slave labor on cocoa plantations in West Africa.
• 🚫 Despite efforts by major chocolate companies to reduce child and indentured labor, these practices persist in the cocoa industry.
• 🧐 The modern perception of chocolate as sensual, decadent, and forbidden is shaped by its history and the power of advertising.

Q & A

Why was chocolate not widely known before the 16th century?

Chocolate was only known in Mesoamerica before the 16th century and existed in a form quite different from what we know today.

What was the earliest form of chocolate consumption in Mesoamerica?

The earliest records indicate that cacao beans were ground and mixed with cornmeal and chili peppers to create a bitter, invigorating drink frothing with foam.

How did the Mesoamericans view cacao?

The Mesoamericans believed that cacao was a heavenly food, a gift from a feathered serpent god known as Kukulkan to the Maya and Quetzalcoatl to the Aztecs.

What was the significance of cacao beans in Aztec society?

Aztecs used cacao beans as currency, drank chocolate at royal feasts, gave it to soldiers as a reward for success in battle, and used it in rituals.

Who was the first European to encounter chocolate and when did this happen?

Hernán Cortés was the first European to encounter chocolate in 1519 when he visited the court of Moctezuma at Tenochtitlan.

Why was chocolate initially considered suitable as a medicine in Europe?

Chocolate's bitter taste made it initially suitable as a medicine for ailments like upset stomachs in Europe.

How did the production of chocolate become more accessible and widespread?

The introduction of the cocoa press by Coenraad van Houten in 1828 allowed for the separation of cocoa butter, creating a powder that could be mixed into a drinkable solution or recombined to create solid chocolate.

Who is credited with the invention of milk chocolate and how was it created?

Daniel Peter, a Swiss chocolatier, is credited with the invention of milk chocolate by adding powdered milk to the chocolate mix.

What changes occurred in the 20th century that made chocolate more accessible to the public?

By the 20th century, chocolate was no longer an elite luxury due to increased cultivation of cocoa near the equator and the shift of production to West Africa, making it a treat for the public.

What human rights abuses have been associated with the growth of the chocolate industry?

The growth of the chocolate industry has been associated with horrific abuses of human rights, including the use of slave and child labor on cocoa plantations in West Africa.

How has the perception of chocolate changed over time and what cultural associations does it have today?

Chocolate has evolved from a bitter medicinal drink to a popular delicacy and a symbol of sensuality and decadence. Its colonial association with native cultures and modern advertising have contributed to its current cultural status.