I confess that this post was going to be about a different subject to what I will write, but it promises to be somewhat controversial, but as always with respect. The point is, I couldn't let this date go by without talking about the wonderful chocolate. That fine son of cocoa has sweetened human palates throughout the centuries and that continues to fascinate us all to this day. Yes, sir, it´s chocolate day!
The origin of cocoa
It depends on who you ask, documenting myself a bit online, I come across a series of theories, origins, "rightful owners" (honestly I don´t care I am a choco lover) of its history, and a whole struggle to assume the place where cocoa originates. The strongest theories are two: Mexico and Venezuela. The first, the most popular, since it is said that we went back to 6000 years ago in the Mesoamerican territory (present-day Mexico) and later extended through what is America today.
There is even that popular legend that the God Quetzalcoatl offered men the mythical fruit and that it would later become a legend. The dream of everyone who loves sweets (including myself of course).
Some more recent studies speak of Venezuela as the cradle of cocoa since during colonization the Spaniards observed how it was consumed in the central, eastern, and southern regions of Lake Maracaibo and even in the Orinoco. Great in any case, but let me tell you some facts that make these cultures, more similar than ever:
Both Aztecs and Venezuelan Indians consumed a drink based on the seed of this fabulous fruit that they called "chacote"; and in turn, they roasted cocoa butter to the gods, which they burned in a kind of barbecue made of clay.
Both cultures used the cacao seed as currency, as well as for medicinal, cosmetic and even religious uses. Knowing all this, let's just say that cocoa is of jungle origin, as its structure suggests, and let's enjoy everything we can do with it.
Cocoa brothers in the house!
Cocoa= Chocolate
We already know where it comes from, but we know how it is prepared? Well basically to prepare this delicious delicacy we must consider that it must contain sugar. It is not sweet by nature, but once added, love increases (and our weight too).
But well, chocolate is achieved thanks to the mixture of Cocoa butter, cocoa mass, and sugar. From there some add milk, nuts, dried fruits, whatever it comes down to, creativity is the limit.
But ask our Japanese friends and their extravagant versions of Kit Kat that include the flavor of wasabi, watermelon, grapes, cheesecake with strawberries, sake, green tea, red bean, melon (and I could go on but it would be the eternal post, Japan, the land of possible)…
Chocolate: Today
I do not plan to explain to you where it is sold the most, who are the countries that are most popular for the wonderful chocolate (Spoiler Alert: Switzerland) but if I will tell you something, it is a dessert that fascinates everyone!
Drinks, cakes, bars, spreads, so many things we can do with chocolate, it makes us love it with devotion. And it has become so popular that it is known all over the world, and unless you are allergic, you would hardly like something that has a little chocolate in it.
Because it is so delicious, so influential, so iconic, it has its day, and the best way to celebrate it is by eating it! So your server is probably eating chocolate at the end of this post.
Today, September 13, and in tribute to Roald Dahl (author of "Charlie and the chocolate factory") and Milton Hershey (His name can give you a clue) is that today the world is united for a single cause: to enjoy the chocolate.
From where I am today (I'll let you guess where I'm from), to where you are, I hope you have a chocontastic day!
This post was already checked and is 100% legit
I love any chocolate!