Mthyology
Cocoa has a rich mythology in many Mesoamerican cultures. In the Mayan cultures it is believed that cocoa was discovered on a mountain by the gods and given the Mayan people by Plumed Serpent. The god Ek Chuaji is the Mayan god for cocoa and merchants. This is fitting for cocoa was an important trade community and often used as currency. A festival in his honor held in April. There are some vage references to a Mayan goddess of chocolate, named Ixcacao. In Aztec culture, there is a very similar mythology about the origin of cocoa. It is believed that the cocoa tree was brought down from a mountain heaven by the god Quetacoatl, a feathered serpent. His wisdom was thought to be gained by drinking a beverage made from the beans; however this beverage was only for men.  [7-8]

 

 

 

History

Cocoa is commonly cultivated in Mesoamerica, both today and in ancient civilization in the region. The Olmecs (1500-400 BC) were the first to consume cocoa. They produced a beverage by crushing the beans and mixing it with species, herbs, chilies, and some water. Both the Mayan and Aztecs cultures consumed cocoa in a similar fashion. It was common used in religious ceremonies, but only consumed by the upper class and soldiers during war. It was so variable it was used as a form of currency. In addition there is deep mythology surrounding it many Mesoamerica cultures.

 

When explores from Europe arrived in Mesoamerica, they were introduced to cocoa. It took some time before the importance of it was seen by Spanish explores. In 1528, explore Hernando Cortez introduced it to the Spanish Court, who feel in love it. Like the Mayan and Aztec culture they produced a beverage from the beans, but added sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and pepper to it. The first cargo ship of cocoa arrived in Spain in 1585. This was the start of the world’s love affair with cocoa. In 1615, it was introduced to French court. In 1650, chocolate beverages where secretly introduced into England hidden shipments of tea and coffee. Nine years later in Paris, France the first chocolate-confection makers open. The first chocolate factory opened in Spain in 1780. Cocoa powder was created in 1828 by the Dutch followed by the solid chocolate bar in 1830 in England. Milton Hershey started his factory in 1893 in the United States.

 

Today, cocoa is primary consumed in the form of chocolate. Roughly 7.2 million tons of chocolate is consumed per year. The leading consumers of chocolate (lbs. per capita each year) are Switzerland (19.8 lbs.), Germany (17.4 lbs.), Ireland, and England (both 16.3 lbs.). The U.S. came in 9th at 9.3 lbs. There is roughly $20.1 billion in chocolate sales each year in the US. It addition it is home to three of the top ten chocolate manufactures (Mars Inc., Mondelēz International, and Hershey). Cocoa is prominent ingredient in cooking and must found in baked goods, such as cakes or cookie. Cocoa butter is another common product from the cocoa plants today. It is often used in the production in chocolate but also found in cosmetics (such as lotions) and pharmaceuticals.

[9-10, Photo 16-18]