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Too bitter, too spicy … so the Spaniards changed the Aztecs' way of preparing and flavoring this chocolate drink. Sweeter and milder, frothed with a wooden whisk called molinillo, this new “chocolate drink” became a favorite by 1520 of the Spanish King, Charles V, and his court and afterwards quickly became popular as a luxury throughout Spain.
Years earlier – 1502 – Christopher Columbus blew his chance of making chocolate history and instead it was his fellow conquistador successor Hernan Cortes to do so. Columbus had captured a Mayan trading canoe whose cargo included grains, metal wares, fibers and some large seeds, like almonds. In the process of transferring these to Columbus' ship, some of these seeds spilled and the natives ran for them, gathering and treating them with great value. Sorry for him, but Columbus didn't put value in this incident.
However, when Cortes arrived in the region in 1519, he recognised cacao as a valuable trading commodity and continued using it even when the Aztec empire collapsed. To further cultivate cacao as currency, cacao plantations were set up in the name of the Spanish crown.
As chocolate grew in popularity, it became a favorite topic of conversation around the palaces of Spain. People spoke of its healing and aphrodisiac qualities and ancient potions. Physicians prescribed it to cure fevers, aid in digestion and alleviate pain. After much debate, religious leaders finally agreed that chocolate, as a beverage, did not officially break the fasting. This elevated the popularity of chocolate even more.
Whatever the reasons, chocolate is too good just for medicine or religion! Do you have any particular reason as to why you drink chocolate?
Love everything chocolate? Check out Flowers & Gift Basket Ideas … edible gifts, edible bouquets and not-so-edible flowers, and more ....
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