The history of chocolate - Deanna Pucciarelli

TED-Ed

16 Mar 201704:41

Summary

TLDRThe 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.

Outlines

00:00

🍫 The Origins of Chocolate

This paragraph delves into the history of chocolate, highlighting its origins in Mesoamerica dating back to 1900 BCE. The people there prepared cacao beans, mixing them with cornmeal and chili peppers to create a bitter, invigorating drink. The Mesoamericans revered cacao as a divine gift from the feathered serpent god, using it in rituals, as currency, and as a reward for soldiers. The first encounter with chocolate by Europeans occurred in 1519 when Hernán Cortés visited the Aztec ruler Moctezuma, where chocolate was served in golden cups. Initially, chocolate was used as medicine in Europe due to its bitter taste but soon became popular as a delicacy after sweetening.

🌍 The Global Spread of Chocolate

The second paragraph discusses the spread of chocolate across the Atlantic and its transformation in Europe. Missionaries' accounts of native customs led to chocolate being seen as an aphrodisiac. The introduction of the cocoa press by Coenraad van Houten in 1828 revolutionized chocolate production by separating cocoa butter from the beans, allowing for the creation of solid chocolate and milk chocolate by Daniel Peter. By the 20th century, chocolate became accessible to the public, but this came at the cost of increased cocoa cultivation near the equator, leading to the shift of production to West Africa.

👨‍👧‍👦 The Dark Side of Chocolate Production

This paragraph reveals the darker aspects of the chocolate industry, focusing on the human rights abuses associated with cocoa production in West Africa. It is estimated that over 2 million children are affected by slave and child labor on cocoa plantations that supply Western companies. Despite efforts by major chocolate companies to reduce these practices, the problem of child and indentured labor persists, casting a shadow over the enjoyment of chocolate in modern society.

🎭 The Cultural Impact of Chocolate

The final paragraph reflects on the cultural significance of chocolate, which has become deeply ingrained in modern rituals. Its historical association with native cultures and the influence of advertising have given chocolate an allure of sensuality and indulgence. However, the paragraph also invites consumers to consider the complex history and current production practices of chocolate, acknowledging that not all aspects of this beloved treat are as sweet as they seem.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Chocolate

Chocolate is a popular confectionery made from roasted and ground cacao seeds, often sweetened and flavored. In the video, it is the central theme, tracing its history from a bitter drink in Mesoamerica to a global delicacy. The script mentions how chocolate was once a luxury and is now a widespread indulgence, reflecting its cultural significance and evolution.

💡Mesoamerica

Mesoamerica refers to a region that stretches from central Mexico to parts of Central America, known for its rich pre-Columbian cultures. The script discusses how chocolate originated in this region, where the cacao tree was native, and how it was consumed in a very different form from the sweet chocolate we know today.

💡Cacao

Cacao is the term for the seeds of the Theobroma cacao tree, from which chocolate is produced. The script explains that as far back as 1900 BCE, Mesoamericans prepared these beans, highlighting the importance of cacao in the early stages of chocolate production.

💡Kukulkan and Quetzalcoatl

These are the names of the feathered serpent god in Maya and Aztec mythology, respectively. The script describes the religious significance of cacao in these cultures, where it was believed to be a divine gift from this god, emphasizing the spiritual connection between the people and chocolate.

💡Aztec

The Aztecs were a Mesoamerican civilization known for their rich culture and extensive use of cacao beans. The script mentions that the Aztecs used cacao beans as currency and in various social and religious practices, indicating the integral role of chocolate in their society.

💡Hernán Cortés

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire. The script recounts his encounter with chocolate during his visit to the court of Moctezuma, illustrating the moment when chocolate was introduced to the Western world.

💡Cocoa Press

The cocoa press is a piece of equipment invented by Coenraad van Houten that revolutionized chocolate production by separating cocoa butter from the solids. The script explains that this invention allowed for the creation of a powder that could be mixed into a drink or recombined with cocoa butter to make solid chocolate.

💡Daniel Peter

Daniel Peter was a Swiss chocolatier who is credited with the invention of milk chocolate by adding powdered milk to the chocolate mix. The script notes this as a key innovation that expanded the variety of chocolate products available.

💡Cocoa Plantations

Cocoa plantations are agricultural settings where the cacao tree is cultivated for its seeds. The script discusses the labor-intensive process of producing chocolate, including the historical use of slave labor and the shift of cocoa production to West Africa.

💡Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire, also known as Ivory Coast, is a West African country that leads in cocoa production. The script points out that this country provides a significant portion of the world's cocoa, highlighting the modern geography of chocolate production.

💡Child Labor

Child labor refers to the employment of children in work that affects their physical, mental, or social well-being. The script raises a serious issue in the chocolate industry, where it is estimated that over 2 million children are affected by child labor in cocoa plantations, indicating a dark side to the sweet treat.

💡Sensual, Decadent, Forbidden

These terms describe the allure and marketing of chocolate in modern culture. The script suggests that chocolate is often portrayed as a sensual, luxurious, and somewhat taboo indulgence, which is a narrative rooted in its colonial past and reinforced by advertising.

Highlights

Chocolate was unknown in Europe before the 16th century and had a very different form in Mesoamerica.

Mesoamericans prepared cacao beans as early as 1900 BCE, mixing them with cornmeal and chili peppers to create a bitter, invigorating drink.

Cacao was considered a heavenly food, gifted by the feathered serpent god, to Mesoamericans.

Aztecs used cacao beans as currency and in rituals, and chocolate was consumed at royal feasts and given to soldiers as a reward.

Hernán Cortés encountered chocolate in 1519 when he visited the court of Moctezuma, where it was served in golden cups.

Early European colonists viewed chocolate as an aphrodisiac due to missionaries' accounts of native customs.

Initially, chocolate's bitter taste made it suitable for medicinal use in Europe, but sweetening made it a popular delicacy.

By the 17th century, chocolate was a status symbol in aristocratic Spanish homes, with dedicated chocolate ware.

Large-scale chocolate production was difficult, involving plantations and slave labor in the Caribbean and off the coast of Africa.

The cocoa press, invented by Coenraad van Houten in 1828, revolutionized chocolate production by separating cocoa butter from the powder.

Daniel Peter invented milk chocolate by adding powdered milk to the cocoa powder mixture.

By the 20th century, chocolate became a public treat, with increased cocoa cultivation near the equator to meet demand.

Cocoa production shifted to West Africa, with Cote d'Ivoire becoming a major supplier, but this growth was marred by human rights abuses.

Slave and child labor are prevalent in West African cocoa plantations, affecting an estimated 2 million children.

Major chocolate companies are partnering with African nations to reduce child and indentured labor in cocoa production.

Chocolate's history is intertwined with colonialism and advertising, giving it an aura of sensuality, decadence, and forbidden allure.

Awareness of chocolate's history and current production practices encourages consumers to consider the complexities behind their favorite treat.