European discovery of Chocolate

The European world first uncovered the magical cacao beans when Hernan Cortes (a Spanish explorer) tasted the Aztec chocolate drink and took back some to his native land. The Spanish added sugar to chocolate, giving it the sweet taste we know it to have. Not long after, the fame of cacao beans spread throughout the continent and it was valued more for its multitudinous medicinal properties including building to resistance and fighting fatigue. By the 1600’s, the European nations began to set up plantations growing cacao trees in their equatorial colonies in Sri Lanka, Venezuela, Sumatra, Africa, etc. Back then, most chocolate originated from a species of cacao called criollo, however the european market changed the course of chocolate history as they decided to cultivate forastero beans (which are easier to grow) and nowadays 90% of cacao is forastero.

In the early 1800’s an English doctors even prescribed chocolate as a beneficial nutrient for pregnant women to nourish their unborn children. The scientific name, Theobroma cacao meaning Food of the Gods, was given by Swedish naturalist, Linneaus. The first cocoa press that smashed the pods and left only the pure cocoa behind was invented by a Dutch, Coenraad Van Houten.

America and the Chocolate Revolution

By this time, chocolate had also grasped the interest of the Americans and in 1847 the first solid chocolate bar was manufactured. Soon enough one of the world’s largest chocolate companies was established in the early 1900’s in America. The wonderful taste of chocolate outweighed its health benefits and soon, chocolate bars and candies were being industrially produced and made available to all classes of people. Along with the Industrial Revolution, the production of chocolate also grew and the treat became even more popular to be the best birthday gift idea.

Modern chocolate industries

According to reports from the National Confectioners Association (NCA) sales of chocolate items totaled to $18 billion in 2010. Furthermore, yearly sales have increased from 3 to 4 % each year. Chocolate has become a worldwide sensation that comes in a seemingly unending variety. From solid milk chocolate bars to caramel/ganache filled truffles to candy-coated chocolate bites, chocolate is limited to only the creator’s imagination. From online shopping available to luxury chocolate workshops, this industry has adapted and grown much since its humble beginnings in central America.

Chocolate has become a worldwide sensation that comes in a seemingly unending variety. From solid milk chocolate bars to caramel/ganache filled truffles to candy-coated chocolate bites, chocolate is limited to only the creator’s imagination. Nowadays from online shopping of chocolates to luxury chocolate workshops, this industry has adapted and grown much since its humble beginnings in central America. Websites like Chocolak have all you need for your chocolate fix. buy chocolates online to enjoy best tasting chocolate.