| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
Spring & Easter Collection
|
|
 |
|
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
 |
| |
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
Chocolate�rich in history.
For centuries, chocolate has been an intricate part of the history of many countries. Historically,
Chocolate has been used as both a type of currency and also as an indulgent drink affordable only to
royalty. Today, chocolate is enjoyed by all in a variety of forms and continues to be an important
part of many cultures.
|
 |
|
Cocoa Beans as a Monetary Unit
Archeologists have discovered that Mayans cultivated these wild trees in the 7th century
A.D in the Yucatan region of Central America.
The first cocoa trees grew wild in the tropical rainforests of the
Amazon and Orinoco basins over 4,000 years ago.
Archeologists have discovered that Mayans cultivated these wild trees in
the 7th century A.D in the Yucatan region of Central America.
Historians have found proof that cocoa beans were used as a form of payment
as well as a unit of calculation around 1000 A.D. In fact, following that period, all taxes were
paid in cocoa beans to Feudal Aztecs. Over the centuries, the people that would become known
as "Indians" brewed cocoa from a dense paste made with roasted cocoa beans. With the addition
of water and various spices (vanilla and cinnamon, but also pepper and other strong condiments)
it became an expensive yet very popular beverage enjoyed by Kings, while the poorest used it
sparingly to flavor a boiled corn mixture.
|
|
| |
Cocoa - a divine drink
Under the Aztec Emperor Montezuma, the drink made of cocoa beans was reserved for the male
elite. "The divine drink, which builds up resistance and fights fatigue. A cup of this
precious drink permits a man to walk for a whole day without food." - Aztec Emperor
Montezuma (circa 1480 - 1520)
In 1502 Christopher Columbus was the first European to discover Cocoa beans upon landing in
Nicaragua on his fourth voyage. While the natives used cocoa beans as currency and also as a
delightful drink, there was no interest by Columbus and his entourage who were still searching
for the sea route to India.
|
|
 |
 |
| |
A beverage fit for a king
Hernan Cortez, who conquered part of Mexico in 1519, was intrigued by the idea cocoa as a
means of payment, and establishes a cocoa plantation in the name of the Spanish crown to
cultivate this new "money".
Later, Cortez took xocolatl, a drink made from cocoa beans, to Charles V's court in 1520.
Cane sugar, in addition to or in place of traditional spices made cocoa a beverage that was
sweet and agreeable to drink and caught the addition of the Spanish King. Word of the drink
quickly spread throughout Spain.
|
|
 |
 |
| |
From Spain to France
In 1615, the French became aware of the use of cocoa, a century after the first discovery of
the chocolate drink by the Spanish court. Spanish princess Anna of Austria married French King
Louis XIII who introduced, among other Spanish customs, the drinking of chocolate at the
French court.
News of the drink spread throughout Europe in the 17th century by
Italian and French merchants.
|
|
| |
The first chocolate-houses open
In 1657 the first chocolate-house was opened in London by a Frenchman, popularizing the
consumption of chocolate among many classes. As early as 1720, several coffee-houses of
Florence and Venice are offering chocolate whose reputation reaches far beyond the country's borders.
Italian chocolatiers, now famous for the art of making chocolate, are becoming known throughout
Europe for this new art form. During this time, gianduja (hazelnut paste) becomes a popular
sweet chocolate variation.
|
|
| |
Chocolate as cure
During the 18th century, chocolate was used more for therapeutic qualities, such
as prevention of stomach aches.
Introduction of chocolate to the United States did not occur until 1765 when John Hanan
brought cocoa beans from the West Indies to Dorchester, Massachusetts, thinking that it
might be useful for medicinal purposes. Together with Dr. James Baker, they start the
first chocolate factory in North America, at first to manufacture remedies for
illnesses. (Baker's chocolate still exists as a baking chocolate variety).
During the first half of the 19th century, several technological advances made chocolate
easier to produce and more available to the masses.
|
|
 |
 |
Invention of the cocoa press
In 1828, Dutchman Hendrick Van Houten invented the cocoa press. This
invention helped reduce the prices of cocoa even further and helped to improve
the quality of the beverage by squeezing out part of the cocoa butter, (fat that
naturally occurs in cocoa beans) and allowed the cocoa to be grounded more finely.
From then on, drinking chocolate had more of the smooth consistency and the pleasing
flavor it has today. Today, this process is known as "Dutching." The final product,
Dutch chocolate, has a dark color and a mild taste.
The first chocolate bar
In 1847, Fry's chocolate factory in Bristol, England molded the first chocolate bar that
was suitable for general consumption.
Milk chocolate was invented in 1879 by the Swiss Henri Nestl� and Daniel Peter
|
|
 |
 |
Industrialization
The industrialization of chocolate reduced the production costs and
allowed all levels of society to enjoy chocolate. Children rapidly
became a great market for chocolate makers. This started a trend of
novelties with the 1923 launch of the Milky Way in by the American
Frank Mars while his son invented the namesake bars, the Mars bar. At
the same time, Milton Hershey, another American chocolate producer
vastly expanded his chocolate sales through clever marketing and
capitalizing on impulse purchases of chocolate in main street grocery
stores. Hershey was called the "Henry Ford" of chocolate
because he mass-produced a quality chocolate bar at a price everyone
could afford.
|
|
 |
 |
| |
The chocolate industry has grown to a worldwide industry topping $50 Billion in retail
sales worldwide and continues to show healthy growth. Recently, there has been an
increasing trend towards high quality chocolates such as chocolates with high cocoa
content and or chocolates flavored with natural flavors and rich spices.
Chocolatesource, via the internet, has made these gourmet chocolates accessible to
chocolate lovers everywhere.
|
|
|
|
 |
|
