The History of Chocolate: From Cacao to the Chocolate Bar
It all started with the cacao bean. Today, it’s the sweet treat we pop into our shopping baskets, use in baking and indulge in at Easter time. But behind every bite of yummy chocolate is a rich, fascinating and complicated history that stretches back thousands of years. From the sacred cacao rituals of ancient Mesoamerican civilisations to the chocolate bars we know and love today, chocolate has undergone quite the transformation. In this post, we’re taking a quick look at the History Heroes of chocolate, and how the cacao bean became the world famous chocolate bar. Let’s jump in!
When was Chocolate Invented?
The history of Chocolate is a long, exciting and delicious one! Chocolate swept Europe in the 16th Century, and was originally thought of as a restorative tonic to remedy a wide variety of ailments. Chocolate went from being used as medicine, to becoming a mass produced and desirable luxury product. But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. Much like other imported food, drink, spices, inventions and goods that have become household staples today, chocolate wasn’t born in Europe.
In fact, centuries before the chocolate bar was developed in Europe, Mayans and Aztecs were amongst those who used cacao beans as part of their culture, food and even currency. These cultures believed that chocolate was a gift from the gods and would offer the precious beans in religious rituals and (much like later in Europe) for medicinal reasons. According to chocolate historians (sounds like the best job ever!) cacao was used as mixed beverages in the Mayan civilisation, ground with maize and mixed with water. Sounds familiar… though it was a far cry from the delicious hot chocolate we know and love today!
By the 16th Century, cacao beans had made their way to Europe to eventually be used in drinks, biscuits, desserts, confectionary and the chocolate bar. Cacao beans were ground by hand which was a tricky and labour intensive process. However, by the late 18th Century and the Industrial Revolution, manufacturers introduced steam powered machines to speed up the process.
So, who are the key players in Chocolate History?
Hernán Cortés the Explorer – A Lover of Chocolate
Hernán Cortés was a fierce explorer who conquered the Aztec Empire in Central America, brining war and disease. He also destroyed his own ships to ensure his men did not escape and desert him!
Perhaps lesser known, Hernán Cortés is amongst the Spanish explorers responsible for bringing chocolate to Europe. During the 16th Century, Hernán Cortés began expeditions to America (then, Mesoamerica) to set up Spanish colonies. He was enamoured by the use of cacao beans in savoury and spicy drinks so he brought it back to Spain. It quickly became an exciting new import! Some people didn’t like the taste, so eventually they added sugar, honey or vanilla which made it even more desirable amongst the Spanish elite.
Learn more about Hernán Cortés and other famous explorers in our History Heroes Explorers Card Game.
A Not-So-Delicious History
As with many areas of history, the production of chocolate came from a period of colonialism which exploited many people. Cacao was often harvested by slave labour. For example, lots of British sources of cacao came from the Caribbean where, by the turn of the 18th Century, around 80 percent of all people living there were slaves from Africa. You can learn more about the history of chocolate and slavery at the Museum of Hot Chocolate.
Who Invented the Chocolate Bar?
In 1847 a British chocolatier J.S. Fry and Sons – made up of History Heroes Joseph, Francis and Richard Fry – began developing the chocolate bar we know and love today. The chocolatier combined cacao beans with sugar and set in in moulds. From then on chocolate boomed and it hasn’t stopped!
Decorating eggs around Easter time had been a common Christian practice for hundreds of years, but in the late 19th Century, Fry decided to try something new. Can you guess what? The Easter egg!
Learn more about Joseph, Francis and Richard Fry and other important inventors in our History Heroes Inventors Card Game.
Best travel card games for families and friends
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