Did the Aztecs have chocolate?

Did the Aztecs have chocolate?

The Aztecs took chocolate admiration to another level. They believed cacao was given to them by their gods. ... In Aztec culture, cacao beans were considered more valuable than gold. Aztec chocolate was mostly an upper-class extravagance, although the lower classes enjoyed it occasionally at weddings or other celebrations.

Who invented chocolate Aztecs?

Who invented chocolate? Chocolate's 4,000-year history began in ancient Mesoamerica, present day Mexico. It's here that the first cacao plants were found. The Olmec, one of the earliest civilizations in Latin America, were the first to turn the cacao plant into chocolate.

When did the Aztecs use chocolate?

The use of chocolate began in the New World with the ancient Olmec civilization (1500 BC-500 BC) in Mesoamerican and continued on through the time of the Maya and Aztecs before making its trek across to the Old World in the 16th century.

Did the Aztecs use chocolate as medicine?

But chocolate has been used in medicine since at least the 1500s, and probably much earlier, as part of Olmec, Maya and Aztec treatments for a range of ailments. “Throughout history, chocolate is considered to be extremely healthful,” says Louis Grivetti, a nutrition historian at the University of California, Davis.

Who is the Aztec god of death?

Mictlantecuhtli Mictlantecuhtli, Aztec god of the dead, usually portrayed with a skull face. With his wife, Mictecacíhuatl, he ruled Mictlan, the underworld.

Can you still buy Aztec chocolate bars?

Aztec was a chocolate bar produced by Cadbury's from 1967. ... The Aztec was created by Cadbury's to compete with the Mars Bar, but it was discontinued in 1978. The Aztec was briefly revived as Aztec 20, but was discontinued again soon after.

Who first ate chocolate?

Olmec The first people to use chocolate were probably the Olmec of what is today southeast Mexico. They lived in the area around 1000 BC, and their word, “kakawa,” gave us our word “cacao.” Unfortunately, that's all we know. We don't know how (or even if) the Olmec actually used chocolate.

Did Aztecs smoke chocolate?

Aztec use. ... Unlike the Maya of Yucatán, the Aztecs drank chocolate cold. It was consumed for a variety of purposes, as an aphrodisiac or as a treat for men after banquets, and it was also included in the rations of Aztec soldiers.

How many Aztec gods are there?

200 deities The Aztecs believed in a complex and diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses. In fact, scholars have identified more than 200 deities within Aztec religion. The Aztec gods were divided into three groups, each supervising one aspect of the universe: weather, agriculture and warfare.

Who was the Mayan god of chocolate?

god Ek Chuah The Maya people gathered once a year to give thanks to the god Ek Chuah who they saw as the Cacao god. The consumption of the chocolate drink is also depicted on pre-Hispanic vases.

Did the Aztecs believe in the god of chocolate?

• The Aztecs associated cacao with the god Quetzacoatl , whom they believed had been condemned by the other gods for sharing chocolate with humans. Unlike the Maya of Yucatán, the Aztecs drank chocolate cold.

Why was chocolate important to the Aztecs?

• The Aztecs and Mayans take credit for introducing chocolate to the world. In Mayan culture, chocolate was so important it was used as currency. The Aztecs use the cacao bean to make xocoatl (bitter water), similar to a brew prepared by the Mayans.

What did the Aztecs have to do with chocolate?

• Unlike the Maya of Yucatán, the Aztecs drank chocolate cold. It was consumed for a variety of purposes, as an aphrodisiac or as a treat for men after banquets, and it was also included in the rations of Aztec soldiers. Until the 16th century, the cacao tree was wholly unknown to Europeans.

Did the Aztecs trade chocolate?

• To the Aztecs, commercial trade was not profitable enough, except for chocolate . Aztec chocolate was treasured in Europe because of its rarity and marvelous taste; chocolate was the main item the Aztecs exported, though they also exported luxury items and pottery.