So, I wasn’t Wrong…

And definitely not the only one.

Did you know that Cacao fruit used to be worshiped by the ancient people?

Initially, the Olmecs had used it. And then the Mesoamericans — the Maya civilization of Central America. They revered the chocolate and used it in various celebrations. After the Mayans, Cacao was used as a currency by the Aztecs in the 14th century. More on that later…

For me, it all started almost six years ago around 2014. I fell in love with the dark chocolate. I mean, the real chocolate — Cacao, as it is called. I will tell you how.

I was recovering from chronic depression and was looking to improve my diet to help cure other conditions that I was struggling with for years. I was reading a lot about how I can change my diet and get some relief from stress and anxiety. And overall, improve my health and well-being.

That is when I came across a medical resource that had tips for a diet that mentioned eating dark chocolate would help in stress, lift the mood, and would be a help for blood pressure since it is supposedly loaded with iron, magnesium, and antioxidants.

I wasn’t much of a chocolate fan then. I was serious about improving my health, so I decided to include dark chocolate in my diet. I don’t remember when I fell for it, though. Eating chocolate turned into a sort of an addiction for me, I admit. I acquired a strong liking for it. And mind you, I wasn’t eating anything below 90% dark. If you are a chocoholic, you know what I mean.

It is funny how our brain gets acclimatized to a certain kind of taste. I say this because any other sweet that I ate then during my choco-affair, I would throw it up, as it became too sweet for my palate. I was eating a big square of it every day. I also started making hot chocolate from the raw cacao powder. I came to worship my chocolate and thought that it was more precious than any gold that I could possess! And I am not kidding at all!!

Now, the most important part!

Once while enjoying the chocolate square that I coveted so much, I joked and said to my partner that when I die, I want you to put a dark chocolate bar on my grave or bury me with one and that it cannot be anything less than 85% -95% dark. He was amused very much by this bizarre “will” of mine. He made a point that I should take a break from it and that I was eating a bit too much! Yes, I know, moderation is key.

So, when I declared the above, I had no idea that Cacao was actually worshiped by the ancient civilizations for real.

A brief history of chocolate:

Chocolate is made from the fruit of the cacao tree, the fruit contains the pods. The pods have around 40 beans each. The cacao beans are dried, roasted, and made into cacao powder.

Look what History Channel says about the history of chocolate quoted directly:

“It’s thought the Olmecs used cacao to create a ceremonial drink. The Olmecs undoubtedly passed their cacao knowledge on to the Central American Mayans who not only consumed chocolate, they revered it. The Mayan written history mentions chocolate drinks being used in celebrations and to finalize important transactions.

The Aztecs took chocolate admiration to another level. They believed cacao was given to them by their gods. Like the Mayans, they enjoyed the caffeinated kick of hot or cold, spiced chocolate beverages in ornate containers, but they also used cacao beans as currency to buy food and other goods. In Aztec culture, cacao beans were considered more valuable than gold.”

Did you read the last line?? Isn’t it amazing?

When I came to know about this, I was extraordinarily thrilled and was jumping like a small girl dancing to her favorite song :) And I thought… Wow!! Hmm, I must be an Aztec in my last birth :)

Later in 2017, I had an opportunity to travel to the Dominican Republic, where I visited the Cacao plantation. It was like visiting a holy place for me; I was very grateful for the experience. It just happened…

I got to see and hold the real cacao fruit in my hands and also had a chance to drink fresh, hot cocoa made by the local farmers. I must tell you that the pulp of the cacao fruit is as heavenly to taste as its beans are! I was so charmed by the whole experience; I will never forget.

Chocolate was consumed as a bitter beverage by those ancient civilizations and not as a sweet treat. Mayans considered the drink as invigorating, mood enhancer, and an aphrodisiac. They even thought that it possessed mystical and spiritual qualities.

“The Mayans worshiped a god of cacao and reserved chocolate for rulers, warriors, priests, and nobles at sacred ceremonies.”

Later in the 14th century, the Aztecs who went crazy for chocolate like me made the trade with the Mayans using cacao beans as the currency, for example, they could buy a turkey for 100 beans. Isn’t that something!

After all, I wasn’t crazy to have expressed my reverence for my beloved Cacao! And I am still in love with this sacred fruit!