Category: Food > Chocolate
Chocolate, one of the world's most beloved treats, has roots that stretch back over 3,000 years to ancient Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Olmecs, who are believed to be the first to cultivate cacao. They used the beans to create a frothy, bitter drink known as "xocoatl," which was often flavored with spices and consumed during religious rituals and ceremonies. This beverage was so valued that cacao beans were even used as a form of currency. The Mayans and Aztecs later adopted and refined this practice, associating chocolate with wealth and prestige, as well as using it in various ceremonies. In fact, the Aztec emperor Montezuma was said to consume vast quantities of xocoatl daily, believing it to be an aphrodisiac and a source of strength.