Cocoa is much more than an ingredient for chocolateits extensive history and deep meaning through the centuries make it a plant of great cultural, medicinal and even economical value, because today it is one of the most important raw materials worldwide.
Cocoa has been a sacred plant since time immemorial. In pre -Hispanic cultures, it was believed that the souls of the deceased resided in their seeds, allowing them to be reborn and remain present on Earth. This belief gave cocoa a deep spiritual value, and its grains were as precious that they were offered as offerings to the gods.
The first evidence of cocoa culture and consumption are found in the ancient civilizations of Central America.Kawê Rodrigues / Pexels
The story behind cocoa
Cocoa has its origin in the Amazon Basinwhere it grows wild. Archaeological studies indicate that its use dates back to an estimated 5,300 years in the region of Ecuador. The first evidence of cocoa cultivation and consumption are found in the ancient civilizations of Central America, including the Olmecs, Maya and Aztecs.
Your scientific name is Theobroma cocoa And today it is a plant with great historical, cultural and economic weight, in addition to that it has been venerated and used by various civilizations over the centuries. For example, The Maya considered cocoa as a divine giftgiving him an important place within his traditions, beliefs, even in his lifestyle.
Olmecs
The Olmecs, one of the oldest civilizations in Mesoamerica, were the first to cultivate and consume cocoa. Used cocoa grains to prepare a fermented drink That, although different from the chocolate that is currently known, it already presented the first forms of its ritual and social consumption.
Maya
The Maya perfected cocoa cultivation and developed a more sophisticated process for consumption. Cocoa was transformed into a foamy drink known as XOCOATL (or «Agua Amarga», in Spanish), which was prepared by mixing ground grains with water, chili, and other ingredients. This drink was not only consumed in religious rituals, it was also part of the daily elite diet.
Aztecs
For the Aztecs, cocoa had an even greater value. It was used as currency and considered a symbol of wealth and power. Emperor Moctezuma, for example, was known for consuming large amounts of a cocoa drink, enriched with spices and honey.