A Lady Pouring Chocolate or A Dutch Girl at Breakfast Jean-Étienne Liotard - 1744
The history of chocolate can be traced to the ancient Mayans and even earlier to the ancient Olmecs of southern Mexico. The word chocolate may conjure up images of sweet candy bars and luscious truffles, but the chocolate of today is little like the chocolate of the past. Throughout much of history, chocolate was a revered but bitter beverage, not a sweet, edible treat.
Inception of Chocolate Chocolate is made from the fruit of cacao trees, which are native to Central and South America. The fruits are called pods containing around 40 beans. The beans are dried and roasted to create cocoa beans. It is said that ancient Olmec pots and vessels from around 1500 B.C. were discovered with traces of theobromine, a stimulant compound found in chocolate and tea. It’s thought the Olmecs used cacao to create a ceremonial drink.
The Mayan Chocolate The Olmecs undoubtedly passed their cacao knowledge on to the Central American Mayans who not only consumed chocolate, they revered it. The Mayan history mentions chocolate drinks being used in celebrations and to finalize important transactions. In many Mayan households, chocolate was enjoyed with every meal.
The Currency of Cacao Beans The Aztecs took chocolate admiration to another level, believing cacao was given to them by their gods. They enjoyed the caffeinated kick of hot or cold, spiced chocolate beverages in ornate containers, but they also used cacao beans as currency to buy food and other goods. Cacao beans were considered more valuable than gold.
Hot Chocolate of Spain The arrival of chocolate in Europe is a conflict, although it’s agreed it first arrived in Spain. One such theory says Christopher Columbus discovered cacao beans after intercepting a trade ship on a journey to America and brought the beans back to Spain with him in 1502. No matter how chocolate got to Spain, by the late 1500s it was a much-loved indulgence by the Spanish court. As other European countries such as Italy and France visited parts of Central America, they also learned about cacao and brought chocolate back to their perspective countries. European palates made their varieties of hot chocolate with cane sugar, cinnamon and other common spices, and flavorings.
Chocolate in the American Colonies Chocolate arrived in Florida on a Spanish ship in 1641. It’s thought the first American chocolate house opened in Boston in 1682. Cocoa beans had become a major American colony import and chocolate was enjoyed by people of all classes.During the Revolutionary War, chocolate was provided to the military as rations and sometimes given to soldiers as payment instead of money. For much of the 19th century, chocolate was enjoyed as a beverage; milk was often added instead of water. In 1847, the first chocolate bar was molded from a paste made of sugar, chocolate liquor and cocoa butter. Later in 1876, dried milk powder was added to chocolate to create milk chocolate. Chocolate had come a long way since, but it was still hard and difficult to chew. In 1879, a Swiss chocolatier invented the conching machine which mixed and aerated chocolate giving it a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth consistency that blended well with other ingredients. Overtime, Chocolate was made available to drink, but more often enjoyed as an edible confection or in desserts and baked goods, earning its place as a heart-healthy, antioxidant-rich treat.
DARK Dark Chocolate Caramelized Almonds
Dark Chocolate Satin Crème
• Coated in Dark Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Melting Texture
• Coated in Dark Chocolate • Creamy Notes • Melting Texture
Dark Chocolate Salt Caramel
Dark Chocolate Coconut Delight
• Coated in Dark Chocolate • Caramel Notes • Chewy Texture
• Coated in Dark Chocolate • Coconut Notes • Crispy Texture
Dark Chocolate Caramel
Dark Chocolate Criollo
• Coated in Dark Chocolate • Caramel Notes • Creamy Texture
• Coated in Dark Chocolate • Intense Extra Dark • Fresh Butter
MILK Milk Chocolate Solid Hearts
Milk Chocolate Almond Butter Krisp
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Creamy Notes • Melting Texture
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Crispy Texture
Milk Chocolate Chewy Caramel
Milk Chocolate Macadamia Salute
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Caramel Notes • Chewy Texture
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Crunchy Texture
Milk Chocolate Peanut Butter
Milk Chocolate Raspberry Satin Crème
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Peanut Butter Centre • Creamy Texture
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Fruity Notes • Creamy Texture
GANACHE Chocolate With Chestnut
Dark Chocolate with Cardamom
• Coated in Milk and Dark Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Melting Texture
• Dark Chocolate • Cardamom Notes • Melting Texture
Milk Chocolate Ganache
Milk Chocolate with Cinnamon
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Creamy Texture
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Spicy Flavors • Crispy Texture
Milk Chocolate with Orange
Dark Chocolate with Raspberry
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Fruity Notes • Creamy Textures
• Coated in Dark Chocolate • Fruity Notes • Smooth Texture
CLUSTERS
Almond Cluster
Peanut Cluster
• Coated in Milk and Dark Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Melting Texture
• Coated in Milk Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Crunchy Texture
Cashew Caramel
Pecan Cluster
• Coated in Milk and Dark Chocolate • Nutty and Caramel Notes • Melting Texture
• Coated in Milk and Dark Chocolate • Roasted Notes • CrunchyTexture
Coconut Cluster
Cashew Cluster
• Coated in Milk and Dark Chocolate • Nutty Notes • Crunchy Texture
• Coated in Milk and Dark Chocolate • Roasted Notes • Crispy Texture
TRUFFLES
Rum Truffle
Honey Truffle
• Dark Chocolate • Rum Ganache • Violet Sprinkles
• Milk Chocolate • Honey Ganache Centre • Enrobed White Chocolate
Ganache Truffle
Cointreau Truffle
• Dark Chocolate • Creamy Ganache • Melting Texture
• White Cointreau Ganache • Dark Chocolate Centre • Creamy Texture
Sparkling Wine Truffle
Strawberry Crème Truffle
• Pink White Chocolate • Sparkling Wine Ganache • Creamy Texture
• Milk Chocolate • Strawberry Cream Centre • Creamy Texture
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