Chocolate in Central American Pottery from 3,100 Years Ago

Chocolate has been around a long time, but its origins - when it was first used- are shrouded in mystery and may never be fully discovered.

Recently some Cornell University archaeologists were doing some work in Central America. They dug up some 3,100 year-old pottery. In it they discovered traces of a chemical compound that is only found in the cacao plant. The source of chocolate is cacao.

The ancient inhabitants of Central America, the Mesoamericans, used this sort of pottery for liquids. The theory is that they made a beverage from cacao, fermented from the pulp. This was not a chocolate drink as we know it, which is made from the cacao seeds.

It is thought that this fermented beverage was highly valued and was served on important social or religious occasions.

Technorati Tags: central america, chocolate, mesoamericans, origins of chocolate, cacao

Chocolate House

Welcome to the chocolate house, where all chocolate-lovers may gather in search of the finest chocolates and where we may also learn about chocolate.

There are many fascinating things about chocolate.

An interest in the subject of chocolate, apart from eating or drinking it, seems to be on the increase. Recently an exhibition called "Chocolate: A Dip Into History" opened on June 7 at Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park in Oyster Bay, New York. It will run until September 30, 2009. It is based on the book "The True History of Chocolate" by Sophie D. Coe and Michael D. Coe.

Technorati Tags: Chocolate, chocolate house, chocolate exhibition