Chocolate, magical and mysterious, delightful and tempting
A sweet and pleasant substance that has always held a special place in human history. At times, it has inspired sacrifice and at other times betrayal. It has even led to addiction among its consumers, been used as currency, and has been honored as a sacred and special food…
In this article, we will take a look at chocolate and its history. Chocolate, the food of the gods
From the Gods to Humans
Chocolate has been regarded as a sacred food in various cultures throughout history. It is not exactly known who first discovered chocolate, but the earliest evidence of cocoa bean use dates back around 5,000 years to the Aztec and Maya civilizations, where cocoa beans were not only used as food but also as a divine gift, a trade commodity, and even for religious ceremonies
The Mayans
Although there is no exact recorded history of the discovery of chocolate, the Mayans can in a way be considered the primary founders of chocolate history. In the Mayan civilization, cocoa beans held a special place. The Mayans first harvested cocoa beans from the cocoa tree, fermented, dried, and roasted them. After removing the shells, they ground them into a paste and then mixed this paste with water, corn flour, chili pepper, and other spices to prepare a bitter and frothy chocolate drink.
Chocolate was a favorite beverage of royal families and priests, who consumed it at the end of meals. Ordinary people also used chocolate in various religious rituals and to honor the gods, calling it the “food of the gods.”
The Aztecs
The Aztecs also considered cocoa beans extremely valuable and regarded them as divine food. They believed cocoa beans were a gift from the god of wind and rain. They also used cocoa beans as money in trade and even considered them more valuable than gold.
In this civilization, chocolate was usually consumed as a bitter, frothy drink made from ground cocoa beans mixed with water, pepper, and other spices, called *xocoatl*. This drink was generally reserved for nobles and the upper classes, while lower classes used chocolate mainly in religious ceremonies and large wedding celebrations.
Brown Gold in Europe
There are conflicting reports about when chocolate entered Europe, but most historical sources attribute its introduction to the voyages of Christopher Columbus. Before Columbus’s explorations, Europeans were unaware of many food resources such as potatoes, tomatoes, peppers, corn, vanilla, tobacco, peanuts, and chocolate. In some historical accounts, it is stated that Columbus and his son encountered cocoa beans on their fourth voyage and were surprised by how the Mayans treated them. However, there is no evidence that he ever witnessed chocolate consumption by the Mayans. In fact, he was unfamiliar with cocoa and referred to it as mysterious beans.
Chocolate was first introduced to the Spanish court by the Spanish conqueror Hernán Cortés and quickly gained popularity. After defeating the Aztecs, Cortés brought cocoa beans back to Spain along with other spoils and called them “brown gold.”
In Spain, chocolate was still consumed as a drink influenced by Aztec and Mayan culture, but with one difference: Spanish chocolate was mixed with sugar and honey to soften its bitterness.
Initially, chocolate was only popular in Spain, but in the 17th century, with the expansion of trade and communication between European countries, it spread to France, Italy, and England, marking the beginning of its global popularity.
Entrance of Chocolate to Persia
The first introduction of chocolate to Iranians dates back to the Qajar era. With the expansion of Iran’s relations with the West and frequent travels of Qajar kings to Europe, chocolate officially entered Iranian society and became widely popular. Initially, chocolate was considered a luxury product reserved for the elite, but over time, with the establishment of chocolate factories, it became more accessible to the general public and gained increasing popularity.
Types of Chocolate
Chocolate is produced in various types and flavors, each offering a unique experience of enjoyment.
Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is one of the most famous types of chocolate and is considered the purest form, containing the highest amount of cocoa. It has less sugar compared to other types and a strong, bitter taste. Due to its high antioxidant content, it is beneficial for health. Most health benefits such as lowering blood pressure, improving brain function, and reducing the risk of heart disease are associated with the consumption of dark chocolate.
Milk Chocolate
Milk chocolate is one of the most popular types of chocolate, made from cocoa butter, sugar, milk, and sometimes vanilla. It has a sweet and mild taste and creamy and less bitter taste than dark chocolate.
White Chocolate
White chocolate is quite different from other types. It is made from cocoa butter but, unlike dark chocolate, it does not contain cocoa solids or cocoa powder. It has a sweet and creamy taste and lacks the bitterness of other chocolates.
Chocolate is not only a delicious treat but can also have positive effects on overall health. For example, chocolate is rich in powerful antioxidants that help protect the body against free radicals and strengthen the immune system. Different types of chocolate can also positively affect mental performance and improve mood..
Chocolate Dragées
Chocolate Dragées are another type of chocolate and cocoa product that have gained popularity worldwide due to their delicious taste, variety, and attractive appearance. The history of chocolate Dragées dates back to Paris in the early 19th century, where various sweets with hard coatings were produced and called Dragées. These products were usually made from nuts and dried fruits coated with a sugary shell and were considered luxury confections.
The first chocolate Dragée (as we know it today) was produced industrially in 1937. Smarties, a brand often mistakenly associated with this product, is among the early producers of chocolate Dragées. However, the 1940s were the golden era of chocolate Dragées, when soldiers used them during wars. The distinctive feature of chocolate Dragées is their hard and resistant coating, which makes them easy to use and increases their shelf life. During World War II, these Dragées became very popular among American soldiers due to their durability, portability, and resistance to heat.
Today, chocolate Dragées are produced in various types and flavors, from white chocolate Dragées such as strawberry-flavored Teen Ten Dragées to Dragées with different flavors and fillings.
Teen Ten Chocolate Dragées
Teen Ten is a brand producing chocolate dragées with natural colors. It aims to present chocolate, the food of the gods and a precious legacy from ancient times, with high quality and delightful taste to consumers.
Teen Ten chocolate dragées are produced in diverse and innovative flavors, offering a delightful experience for chocolate and dragée lovers by utilizing the latest innovations in the chocolate industry.
