The origin of fine flavoured cocoa
Originally the cacao tree grew only in the Amazon region of South America. In the course of the centuries birds brought the cacao seeds up to Central America.
Cultivation
As early as 250 BC the Maya cultivated the cacao tree, laying out proper plantations for the purpose.
Cocoa beans were so highly valued that they were used as a currency. There actually emerged a fully developed trade by barter using cocoa beans in all Central America.
Trading cocoa
Cocoa played a major role in the cultural life of the Aztecs, too, that emerged in the Mexican highlands from the 13th century onwards. Due to the unsuitable climate they were not able to cultivate the delicate cacao trees, so they had to buy cocoa from the Maya.
Cocoa for medical purposes
Since early times cocoa has been used as a medicine for fever, poisoning and snakebites and as an antiseptic. But it was also very popular both as food and stimulant; and it was used for cultic purposes.
How the Europeans discovered cocoa
On arrival at the Aztec court, the Spanish conquistadores came across a treasury of 25,000 cwt of cocoa. This started the triumphant advance of cocoa throughout the world.
Read on: The triumphant advance of cocoa
