Chocolate is the name for
processed foods or beverages from cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao). Chocolate was
first consumed by the ancient Mesoamerican population as a beverage, although
it is believed that the first chocolate could only be consumed by the nobles.
Chocolate is generally given as a gift or a gift at the festival. With unique shapes, styles and flavors, chocolate is often used as an expression of gratitude, sympathy, or concern even as a statement of love. Chocolate has also become one of the most popular flavors in the world. In addition to consume most commonly in the form of chocolate bars, chocolate is also a beverage of warm and cold drinks.
History of Chocolate
Chocolate is produced from cocoa
(Theobroma cacao) which is predicted to grow first in the northern Amazon
region to Central America. Probably to Chiapas, the southernmost part of
Mexico. The Olmecs made use of the trees and, perhaps also, made
"chocolate" along the Gulf coast in southern Mexico. The earliest
documentation on chocolate was found on its use at a chocolate processing site
in Puerto Escondido, Honduras around 1100-1400 BC. The residue obtained from
these processing tanks indicates that initially the use of cocoa is not
intended to make drinks alone, but the white selectivity of cocoa beans is more
likely to be used as a source of sugar for alcoholic beverages.
The brown residue found in the pottery used by the ancient Mayans in Río Azul, Northern Guatemala, shows that the Maya drank chocolate in about 400 BC. The first civilization that inhabited the Meso-American region knew the "kakawa" tree whose fruit was consumed as an xocolātl drink which meant bitter beverage. According to them, these drinks need to be consumed every day, for whatever reason. However, it seems that chocolate is also a symbol of prosperity.
How to present it was not arbitrary. By holding this liquid container at chest level and pouring it into another container on the ground, an expert presenter can make a thick foam, the part that makes the drink so valuable. This foam is actually produced by cocoa butter (cocoa butter) but sometimes added additional foam. Meso-Americans seem to have an important habit of drinking and eating porridge containing chocolate.
The seeds of the cocoa tree itself are very bitter and must be fermented so that the taste can be obtained. After baked and powdered the result is chocolate or cocoa. It is estimated that Mayan chocolate drinking habits began around 450 BC - 500 BC. That said, consumption of chocolate is considered a symbol of important status at that time. Maya tribe consumes chocolate in the form of a bubbly liquid sprinkled with red pepper, vanilla, or other spices. Xocoatl drinks are also believed to be a tranquilizer, a belief that may be caused by theobromin content in it.
When classical Maya civilization collapsed (circa 900) and was replaced by Toltecs, cocoa beans became Meso-American main commodities. By the time the Aztec Empire came to power (until about 1500 BC) the area covering Mexico City is now known as the Meso-American region richest in cocoa beans. For the Aztec cocoa beans are "the food of the gods" (theobroma, from Greek). Usually cocoa beans are used in religious ceremonies and as gifts.
Chocolate also became a luxury in the time of Colombian-Meso America, in their culture of the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cocoa beans (cacao bean) is often used as a currency. For example the Aztec Indians use a calculation system in which one turkey chicken costs one hundred cocoa beans and one avocado for three cocoa beans.
While in 1544 AD, Maya Kekchi delegates from Guatemala who visited the Spanish court brought gifts, among them chocolate drinks.
Liquid chocolate.
At the beginning of the 17th century, chocolate became a popular refreshing drink in the Spanish court. Throughout the century, chocolate spread among the European elite, then through a democratic process the price became quite cheap, and by the end of the century it became a drink enjoyed by the merchant class. Approximately 100 years after his arrival in Europe, so famous chocolate in London, until a "brown house" was built to store chocolate supplies, starting in coffee houses. The first chocolate house opened in 1657. And the first chocolate ice recipe was known to have originated from England in 1668.
In 1689 a doctor and a collector named Hans Sloane, developed a type of chocolate milk drink in Jamaica and originally drunk by apothekari tribes, but the drink was later sold by Cadbury brothers [6]. All European chocolate was originally consumed as a drink. New in 1847 found solid chocolate. Europeans throw away almost all the spices added by Meso-Americans, but often retain vanilla. Also replace many spices to suit their own tastes ranging from special recipes that require ambergris, waxy purplish dyes extracted from the gut of whales, to more common ingredients such as cinnamon or cloves. However, the most frequently added is sugar. In contrast, the Meso-American chocolate does not seem to be sweet.
European chocolate was originally mixed in the same way that the Mayan and Aztecs used. Even today, the ancient Meso-American way is still preserved, but inside industrial machinery. Cocoa's seed still a little fermentated, dried, roasted, and rolled. However, a series of more complicated techniques was played. Chocolate powder is emulsified with potassium or sodium carbonation to be more easily mixed with water (dutched, emulsification methods found by the Dutch), the fat is reduced by removing much cocoa fat (defatted), ground as a liquid in a conched or mixed with milk so it becomes milk chocolate.
The Health Benefits of Chocolate
There are so many advantages of chocolate,
in the following:
1. Prevent heart disease
A chocolate bar can help you to
prevent heart disease because it contains some chemicals that make your
cardiovascular system run smoothly. Especially dark chocolate can reduce the
risk of heart attack with a percentage of nearly 50% and coronary disease by
10%. So it's not a problem consuming a bar or a piece of chocolate everyday!
2.
Lowering blood pressure and cholesterol
Chocolate is a substance that
contains compounds that function to calm the nerves are tense. By eating
chocolate then one's feelings will become more relaxed, therefore by eating
chocolate can lower blood pressure
Dark chocolate has been shown in
studies to lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. And eating
dark chocolate on a regular basis has been shown to lower LDL cholesterol by as
much as 10 percent.
3. Contains High Antioxidants
Based on the results of research
turned out to contain chocolate flavanol, a type of flavanoid found in
chocolate. Flavanoids are compounds that form naturally in plant foods and act
as antioxidants and help counteract free radicals in the body.
4. Contains Anti-Depression
The results also prove that
Chocolate contains serotonin, a natural anti-depressant. By eating Chocolate
can also stimulate the body to produce endorphin enzymes, which play a role to
create feelings of happiness and happiness. A study found that melting
chocolate in the mouth produces a feeling of happiness longer. So when you feel
in a state of stress or stress a time to enjoy chocolate.
5. Prevent Tooth Decay
Many people assume that with
chocolate mugakan it can cause damage to the teeth. Actually that makes damage
to the teeth instead of chocolate but the sugar contained in chocolate snacks.
So no matter you eat chocolate as long as the discipline brush your teeth. The
results have found that in chocolate there is theobromine which can prevent
tooth decay by removing streptococcus mutans, the bacteria that contribute to
tooth decay in the oral cavity. So who says chocolate is dangerous? precisely
the benefits of chocolate for dental health is good yes.
6. Make Longevity
The results of a study conducted
in the Netherlands that followed 200 men over 20 years, found that men who
consumed large amounts of chocolate, be it dark chocolate and milk chocolate,
he was older and has lower levels of the climber. Based on these studies note
that chocolate contains substances that can slow aging. Consumption of
chocolate on a regular basis can reduce wrinkles and protect the skin from
sunburn.