History of Dark Chocolate

 

Hey! I know I need no introduction as I will be identified from a mile away with a whiff. I am a decadent crowd pleaser and a winner of hearts. Read on to know my autobiography and get interesting inside stories about my life. 

I am that brown girl who has won hearts worldwide (I am not talking about Priyanka Chopra). 

Actually, I am a dark brown coloured delicacy that can in no time alleviate your mood and you all are guilty of binge-eating me. From children to adults, everybody loves me and it is me whose cravings you always succumb to. Yes, I am dark chocolate!

Some might argue that I’m not liked by as many people as my brother - milk chocolate, but let’s face it not everybody has good taste. 

I am loved by people all across the world, despite my colour. (Humans are complicated that way)

My Birth Place:

I am a native of Mesoamerica, (a term for Mexico and Central America before the 16th century Spanish conquest) which is present day Mexico where the Olmecs, one of the ancient civilisations in Latin America found my presence in the form of cacao and drank me as their medicine (yes I’m that good!)

Centuries later, Mayans, another Mesoamerican civilisation, praised me and called me, the drink of the Gods. (TBH I don’t blame them for finding me so delicious). They made a brew with a concoction of roasted and ground cacao seeds mixed with chillies, water and cornmeal. They made a thick, foamy beverage by pouring this mixture from one pot to another and named it “xocolatl”, which means “bitter water.”

 

The Aztecs:

These civilisations only used me as a beverage and I had not as yet explored my inner-self. By the 15th century, the Aztecs considered me so significant and priceless (I guess) that I was used as currency. They considered me as a gift from God Quetzalcoatl and used me as a beverage and aphrodisiac (All bow down to me!)

 

My Travel to Spain:

My wanderlust made me travel all over the world and in 1528 I reached Spain. Hernán Cortés brought me to Spain when the Aztec emperor gave him a cup of cocoa and he was introduced to cocoa seeds. In Spain too, I was revered as a religious drink and was drunk to aid religious practices by Christian monks. 

 

France Welcomed Me:

‘Bonjour, je suis arrivé en France!’ In 1615 when French King Louis XIII married Anne of Austria, daughter of Spanish King Phillip III. She brought samples of chocolate to the royal courts of France. 

 

In The Royal Kingdom:

Britain started feeling FOMO; therefore, I was brought to Britain as well, where I made my appearance at special chocolate houses. I was immensely popular among the European aristocracy. Royals and the upper classes savoured me for my health benefits and the oh so heavenly taste. 

My Revolutionised Variation:

Well, for several years, I was consumed as a drink and then as a dessert. But till 1828, making me was a laborious task. However that all changed with the invention of the chocolate press, it revolutionised chocolate-making as a process. 

This device could squeeze cocoa butter from roasted cacao beans and that left some fine cocoa powder in the end process. The powder was used by mixing it with liquids and pouring into a mould, where it solidified into a bar of chocolate. And tada, that’s how I was reborn, the modern-era chocolate bar. 

 

My Brothers and Sisters:

Enough about me, let me introduce you to my siblings and a few cousins (rolls eyes!). 

 

1. Milk Chocolate:

Though I was the first child and travelled all around the world, my brother milk chocolate gained popularity with his light brown colour, creamy texture and milky undertones. If you are not so much into me, then milk chocolate is definitely the way to go.

 

2. Ruby Chocolate:

She is our adopted (wink-wink) youngest sibling. Made from Ruby cocoa bean, which lends her a distinct pinkish-red colour, she is imbued with a different flavour that can be described as sweet yet sour (go-figure!)

 

3. White Chocolate:

She is our distant cousin who is a mix of sugar, milk and cocoa butter without cocoa solids. 

Other than that you already know my cousins cocoa powder and compound chocolate. We all have our different uses and also have a unique taste that we provide to your desserts like chocolate cakes, cookies, smoothies, hot chocolate, ice creams and much more. 

Ironically enough,  some people think that I cause health problems and also am the culprit of producing rampant acne. I who was considered as the drink of the Gods and now these valorous accusations? I am deeply hurt. 

But to prove you all wrong once and for all, the researchers say that when consumed in moderation, I can support good health. I am a powerful source of antioxidants, can lower blood pressure, reduce heart disease risk, improve brain function and ladies I can reduce your menstrual cramps as well. Maybe these qualities justify me being called “the drink of Gods” once upon a time!

 

A Love-Love Relationship:

I have become synonymous with love and can be referred to as the modern symbol of love. Be it the beginning of any new relationship, a way to show affection or a chance to redeem oneself, I have been used for almost all purposes. 

In Valentine’s week, one day is dedicated explicitly to me where you can gift me to your loved one and make them your Valentine. 

Whatever the occasion, you can never go wrong in gifting a box of me and make the person feel exhilarated. 

To sum it all, I have been at the crux of all relationships, be it romantic, non-romantic or platonic. 

I know you cannot get enough of me but you need to control the amount you consume when you have my cravings. 

To say the least, as I am people’s favourite, I am my favourite too! You can have me as a bar, hot chocolate, cake, or any other form. I will never disappoint you and always add that spice or rather sweetness to your life. Are you not craving me already?