Chocolate arrived in Europe during the 1500s, likely brought by both Spanish friars and conquistadors who had traveled to the Americas.
Who was the first European to taste chocolate?
Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés may have been the first European to encounter chocolate when he observed it in the court of Montezuma in 1519.
Who first discovered chocolate?
Who invented chocolate? Chocolate’s 4,000-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica, present day Mexico. It’s here that the first cacao plants were found. The Olmec , one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate.
What is the oldest chocolate company?
| Baker cocolate factory pictured in 1907 | Type Limited | Industry Food | Founded 1780 | Founder James Baker |
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Why was chocolate so expensive in European?
Too much of a good thing. That’s partially because European retailers are under pressure from discounters to lower prices. ... While Europeans have too much chocolate on their hands, parts of the chocolate-making process are becoming more expensive, especially purchases of raw material.
How did chocolate get its name?
Etymologists trace the origin of the word “chocolate” to the Aztec word “xocoatl,” which referred to a bitter drink brewed from cacao beans . The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, means “food of the gods.”
Did Aztecs invent chocolate?
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.
How did chocolate change the world?
Chocolate was a fashionable drink for rich Europeans throughout the 18th century. The Industrial Revolution allowed chocolate to be mass-produced and brought the treat to the masses. The popularity led to the development of cacao tree plantations. Enslaved people farmed most of the plantations.
What was the first chocolate factory in the world?
In 1847, English company Fry produced the first chocolate in block format. In 1848, Victor-Auguste Poulain set up an industrial chocolate and confectionery factory in Blois. In 1856, Jacques Klaus opened his first chocolate factory in Le Locle, Switzerland.
What is the world’s oldest chocolate bar?
The first solid chocolate bar put into production was made by J. S. Fry & Sons of Bristol, England in 1847. Cadbury began producing one in 1849. A filled chocolate bar, Fry’s Chocolate Cream , was released in 1866.
What is the most famous brand of chocolate?
- #1. Ferrero Rocher. ...
- #2. Lindt & Sprüngli. ...
- #3. Ghirardelli. ...
- #4. Hershey’s. ...
- #5. Toblerone. ...
- #6. Cadbury. ...
- #7. Guylian. ...
- #8. Patchi.
How did chocolate become popular in Europe?
Chocolate only truly became popular in Europe after they added their own flavorings such as sugar and vanilla , compared to the popular chili peppers added by the mesoamericans. ... The food we now call chocolate used to be a drink, instead of a candy bar.
What is chocolates history in Europe?
Chocolate seduces Europe
In 1615, French King Louis XIII married Anne of Austria , daughter of Spanish King Phillip III. To celebrate the union she brought samples of chocolate to the royal courts of France. Following France’s lead, chocolate soon appeared in Britain at special “chocolate houses”.
Why was chocolate so expensive?
The hike in chocolate prices is being driven by the soaring cost of cocoa beans , which has risen 18 percent this year alone. On the one hand, poor yields from major cocoa producers (68 percent of the world’s cocoa comes from Africa, according to the World Cocoa Foundation) have limited supply of the beans.
Why was chocolate only for the rich?
But, the cacao plant could not grow in the area where the Aztecs lived. So, they traded to get cacao. They even used cacao seeds as a form of money to pay taxes or give as holy offerings to the gods. Only the very wealthy people in Aztec societies could afford to drink chocolate because cacao was so valuable .
What chocolate is made of?
Chocolate is a natural product made of these ingredients:
Cocoa Butter : Natural fat from the cocoa bean; extra cocoa butter enhances chocolate’s flavor and mouthfeel. Sugar. Lecithin: An emulsifier, often made from soy, that makes the ingredients blend together. Vanilla or vanillin and other flavors.
