http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/ Chocolate was not always the sweet enticement we have come to know. It took thousands of years for chocolate to earn the reputation it has today. en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 Chocolate in Mesoamerica Cacao, the plant from which chocolate is derived, was discovered about 2000 years ago in the tropical rainforests of Mesoamerica. The first people clearly known to have used it were the ancient cultures of that area who mixed it with chile peppers, corn meal, and other spices to create a bitter, frothy beverage. The early significance of chocolate Mayans of the classical period (250-900 CE) were among the first to employ the chocolate beverage for various ceremonial purposes. But, by 1400 the Aztecs came to dominate the area and through their trade networks, began to use the seeds themselves. It was so highly valued as to be used almost as a currency. Both of these cultures used the drink primarily for religious and royal ceremonies. Their priests offered the seeds to the gods and served the beverage during religious ceremonies. At the time, chocolate was not something consumed by the masses. Europe gets turned on to the cacao scene The Spanish first made contact in Mesoamerica in 1521 and immediately recognized the significance of cacao seeds packing them on ships bound for the courts of the Old World. They began added their own spices and sugar to the beverage and from there demand only increased, but Spain would not share their new found pleasure with the rest of Europe for another 100 years! Eventually chocolate did catch on in the rest of Europe, but was such an expensive import that it would remain an elite beverage and status symbol reserved only for the upper echelons of society for the next 300 years. France went so far as making chocolate a state monopoly that could only be purchased by members of the royal court. The legacy of chocolate's popularity also has a dark side. With the demand of chocolate increasing at such a fast pace came the establishment of many more colonial plantations producing large quantities of the seed. And since it was, by this time, mixed with sugar so too did its demand increase. The production of both cacao and sugar are very labor- intensive and required the need for ever more slaves from Africa. Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/chocolate-chips/ Chocolate chips for breakfast? Oh yeah, your little ones will be so excited about chocolate chips in their pancakes. en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/chocolate-chip/ The chocolate chip is not just for cookies anymore! There are a whole list of tasty treats that can be made with the traditional chocolate chip. en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/chocolate-gift/ A chocolate gift can always be considered for any function. Even in the office you might try mixing it up a bit with a chocolate gift. en-us Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:55:36 EST Fri, 16 Dec 2005 00:55:36 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/chocolate-cake/ A chocolate cake can be the ideal remedy for many of life's curve balls. Anyone in your life down in the dumps? Hook them up with a moist and creamy chocolate cake ! en-us Tue, 06 Dec 2005 14:15:30 EST Tue, 06 Dec 2005 14:15:30 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/gourmet-chocolate/ Gourmet chocolate is synonymous with a few countries, but Israel? Max Brenner has succeeded in even selling Israeli gourmet chocolate to the Swiss. en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/european-chocolate/ European chocolate looks good, smells good, tastes good and will rock you senseless. Take it easy with that European chocolate - its feisty! en-us Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Tue, 19 Jun 2007 12:54:49 EDT Weblog Editor 2.0 http://www.chocolatefunk.com/chocolate/chocolate-recipe/ A chocolate recipe need not only be for dessert- if you're in the mood to party, and we know you are, try this chocolate recipe- it's sure to keep you in a great mood! en-us Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Mon, 05 Dec 2005 19:35:33 EST Weblog Editor 2.0