A Brief History Of Chocolate

You clicked this article because of the word “chocolate”, right? Well, many of our fans absolutely love chocolate. In fact, there is hardly anyone who doesn’t. So today, we will be taking a brief history lesson to learn a little bit more about chocolate. Enjoy!

Chocolate has been a favourite of man for thousands of years – yes, thousands! It first began with indigenous people brewing the seeds of the cacao tree before converting them into a yummy beverage – ancient style. This has set the groundwork for the wide assortment of chocolates we enjoy today.

Once chocolate was discovered by European colonisers, it quickly became a treat. However, at that time, it wasn’t available to just about anyone. Only the elites could afford to have it often. Also, you might know this already – but chocolate at that time, better known as cocoa, was actually bitter, and not sweet.

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Another reason why chocolate, as it is known, is out of the price range of the common people was that it didn’t only cost a lot to collect cocoa, the sugar and spices that were necessary to make it palatable were also known to be expensive. Only in the 1800’s, when the industrial age started did chocolate became readily available due to mass production.

Fast forward a few decades later, chocolate candy became a big hit in stores in the form of the candy bar. This is therefore the “mother” of readily available chocolates. It took its place proudly on the general store shelf next to the hard candy and candy cane bins. If this sounds a little archaic to you, it was because that was the terminology and culture of the day.

While it had humble beginnings, the varieties available today are mind boggling. Chocolate candy, these days, is available in many different flavours and shapes, and has been mixed and fused with many different ingredients. Some ingredients, understandably, are complimentary to the flavour and texture of the chocolate. I’m talking nuts and fruits here. Therefore, they are usually left whole or diced inside the candy bar.

Apart from key ingredients, spices and other flavourings are also added to enhance the chocolate or add interesting flavour notes. Some people can even taste a story in their chocolate candy – just like in the Willy Wonka, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory-type films. Some people are so skilled that they can even taste the chocolate and determine which region in the world the chocolate came from. It’s like wine or cheese tasting.

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While there are such connoisseurs, most people have ready access to chocolate, and the variety is astounding. Most commonly, chocolate is enjoyed either inside a candy coating or as a coating itself over other yummy treats such as ice cream. These days, many people even buy chocolate online. You can literally snack on exotic chocolate candy delicacies made anywhere in the world. They even make sure you receive your chocolate candy in perfect condition.

There is also great news for the hobbyists out there. These days, there is also a wide variety of chocolate moulds and candy making accessories. So you can try your hand at making your own chocolate candy. It’s a fun way to get children involved in the kitchen and not to mention also a great way to make personalised gifts.

So can chocolate fit into a healthy diet? You betcha! You just need to have some self-control and plan it well. Having good eating habits does not mean shutting down your favourites – it just means understanding the system and knowing what to do and how to fit it in. If you want to find out how, check out the Strategic Nutrition Guide, or better – get it as part of the Granite Fitness Masterclass today!

More good stuff…….

 


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