This archive report was first published on 12 September 2021.
Published on September 12, 2021, the word 'chocolate' is derived from the Mayan word 'Chocol,' meaning a hot drink. This delicious treat comes from a fruit tree, specifically the Theobroma Cacao tree, which produces cocoa beans.
Theobroma Cacao, meaning 'food of the gods,' has been a prized commodity for centuries. In fact, a long time ago, cacao was used as a currency, even considered more valuable than gold!
Fast forward to the 20th century, and we have Ruth Wakefield, who accidentally created the first chocolate chip cookie in 1930. She gave the recipe to Nestle in return for a lifetime supply of chocolate.
But did you know that white chocolate is not technically chocolate? It's made from a blend of sugar, milk products, vanilla, lecithin, and cocoa butter.
Chocolate has some amazing health benefits too. Eating dark chocolate every day can reduce the risk of heart disease by one third. And, it's not just for humans - chocolate can even be good for dogs, in moderation!
However, excessive intake of chocolate can trigger severe and persistent headaches. But a piece of dark chocolate or a glass of hot cocoa with no added sugar, once every day, can be good for health.
From Napoleon's love of chocolate to the Spanish royalty's tradition of giving cakes of cacao in their dowries, chocolate has a rich and fascinating history. And, it's not just for eating - chocolate has even been used as a form of currency and as a medicine.
