Yes, we all learned in school that Christopher Columbus discovered the New World. What is not commonly known is that among the treasures that he brought back from his fourth trip to the New World was the cocoa bean. The story goes is that Columbus presented his treasures to the King Fernando, and Queen Isabel of Espana. Among the items in the treasure was the cocoa beans, but the other items such as gold drew their attention. Thus the cocoa remain unnoticed

Approximately twenty years later, Hernan Cortés popularized the cocoa bean, and chocolate drinks. At first the Spanish court did not appreciate the loathsome looking drink, and only after sugar was added to the chocolate did it become popular with the nobility. Of course, the cocoa bean due to the tremendous cost of production was used as currency.

Spain first shipped cocoa seeds commercially in 1585 from Veracruz to Seville. The Spaniards planted the cocoa seeds in their tropical colonies and created a monopoly on chocolate that lasted until the late 16th century, when Spain began to decline as a sea power. The cocao plantations in the New World was utilized to “grow money”. The secret of chocolate was held by having the monks in monasteries grind the beans and by forbidding the export of cocoa and chocolate. These monks kept secret of chocolate for over a century before it spread to the rest of Europe. However, in 1615 when the Spanish Princess Maria Theresa became engaged to Luis XIV of France, she gave her fiancé a gift of chocolate in an elegant chest.

The secret was so well kept that during the Spanish armada’s battles with England and Holland, captured cargo vessels containing cocoa were frequently sunk as having no value. This was because the rest of Europe was not privied to the heavenly chocolate drink. Eventually, in the 1600’s after the gift of chocolate to Luis XIV, chocolate made it to chocolate houses across Europe.

Although the original intentions of the Spanish was not to share the cocoa bean with the world, we are glad that Maria Theresa spilled the beans on the secret. Obviously, the real credit goes to the Mayans, and not the Aztecs for the original discovery.

Little did the indigenous people of present day Mexico, and the Europeans knew, but the cocoa bean has changed the world for the better. The humble bean has created a multi-billion dollar chocolate industry. I thank the Mayans for discovering the bean, and the Spanish for spreading it.

Technorati : Aztec, Christopher Columbus, Hernan Cortes, Mayan, Spain, cocoa bean, cocoa bean currency
Ice Rocket : Aztec, Christopher Columbus, Hernan Cortes, Mayan, Spain, cocoa bean, cocoa bean currency

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Having Hot Chocolate is always one of my favorite things to do, just like having coffee in the morning. I can’t do without it. One day after lunch, I was talking to a “girl friend” of mine, she said to try out this Mexican hot chocolate. I asked what is this new drink? What is the difference between regular hot chocolate, and Mexican Hot Chocolate? She’s Mexican, and understands and knows the culture why better than I do. So she slowly proceed to answer my quesitons. I am just some city slicker, who knows nothing of the the ways of the old Mexican culture. She told me about Champurrado. I did some more research and learned more about this wonderous liquid.

Champurrado is hot chocolate thickened with corn dough (masa). Today’s cooks use shortcuts in the recipe which traditionally called for fresh corn masa, Mexican chocolate disks, and piloncillo. (Piloncillo is a cone of brown sugar that is molasses and chemical free.)

Champurrado may be one of the first foods to mix the native Mexican corn with milk and sugar used by the Spaniards. In the 16th century, the Aztecs welcomed their war god, Huitzilopochtli, from Dec. 7 to 24. The Spanish missionaries replaced this pagan tradition with a Christmas festival where Joseph and Mary are hunting lodging. This delicious drink is always served at these posadas. It is also frequently served at breakfast with churros or as a late afternoon snack.

Mexican Champurrado
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
½ cup masa flour mixed with ¼ cup hot water to blend or 3 tablespoons cornstarch
2 ½ cups milk
2 ½ cups water
3 tablespoons piloncillo, chopped or 1/3 cup dark brown sugar plus 2 teaspoons molasses
2 to 4 ounces. Mexican chocolate or dark Dutch chocolate, according to taste preference
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cinnamon stick (if using brown sugar)
¼ teaspoon crushed anis seeds

Blend the masa with the hot water. (If using cornstarch, mix cornstarch with 1 cup cold water.) Place mixtures in saucepan and add the remaining ingredients. Slowly bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar and chocolate are dissolved and a creamy consistency is achieved. If using anis seeds, mixture may be strained. Serve hot in mugs.

Let me tell, it’s one of the best hot chocolate I’ve had. It’s delicous, delectable, and a favorite chocaholic drink.


tags: chococlate, mexican hot chocolate, hot chocolate, chocaholic, Huitzilopochtli, Champurrado, masa,

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To heck with Chocolate Mint Day. I don’t really care for it. But I am a chocaholic, so I have to care. On the other hand it’s really boring. It’s one of those commercialize holidays that no one cares about. I am writing because I still have to pay lip service to this holiday, being a chocaholic and all.

I better chill and have a gourmet chocolate mint square, before I get too worked up for nothing!!

Chocolate Mint Day is on February 19th. We celebrate everything that has to do with chocolate mint flavor. The most common chocolate mint treats are ice cream, candies, and desserts. Not everyone likes chocolate mint. I wonder why some people don’t like this great flavor. But, then not a lot of us feel sorry for them! It is a truly great day for Chocolate Mint lovers. Course Chocolate Mint day is the most stupidest holiday ever. It’s just a way for companies to make money. That’s so full of crap.

Now how did this day come about? Well, unfortunately there is no recorded evidence of the origin of this great day. It was most likely started by a candy confectioner, or an ice cream company ( who else profits from this day). Some people do go overboard and declare it to be a National festival an even a national holiday. But then again, we haven’t found any congressional records or presidential proclamations for this day. We don’t even know how this holiday came about. If you ask me this holiday is full of shit. Don’t celebrate this holiday. Anyhow to help you celebrate in style try a the chocolate mint recipe below.

Ingredients:

For Brownie Layer
· 1 cup sugar
· 4 eggs — beaten
· 1 teaspoon vanilla
· 1/2 cup butter
· 1 cup flour
· 16 ounces Chocolate Syrup
For the Filling:
· 2 cups powdered sugar
· 1/2 cup butter
· 2 tablespoons crème de menthe
For the Topping:
· 6 ounces chocolate chips
· 6 tablespoons butter
Mix Brownie Layer ingredients and pour into a greased 9 x 13 inch pan. Bake at 350F degrees for 30 minutes. Cool in pan. Mix Filling ingredients together and spread over brownie layer. Topping: Melt chocolate chips and butter together. Mix and let cool slightly. Spread over mint layer. Chill for a few minutes and cut into squares.


tags: chocolate, chocolate mint day, gourmet chocolate mint

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