Welcome to the World of Chocolate

Chocolate brings joy and happiness to many people around the world. There are many different types of chocolate including milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and white chocolate. The list of types of chocolate is quite long and there are so many creative ways to incorporate it into our daily lives. Some prefer it in liquid form such as hot chocolate. Some prefer chocolate as a plain candy bar while others may incorporate it into savory dishes such as chile or mole. The history of chocolate is fascinating and with time we humans have learned several different methods of making and producing it. The world has made it into a beloved sweet treat that brings comfort, nostalgia, and delight.

Chocolate competitions are held yearly to bring chocolate lovers together so we may learn their methods. There are even chocolate festivals held around the world to celebrate the life of chocolate and to bring people together. I’m so captivated by the history of chocolate and I am so excited to share my knowledge about chocolate with others. From history to recipes to the best chocolate shops in the world, I will cover all things chocolate to give you a better insight of how it came to be and how lucky we are to be able to enjoy it in our lives.

Chocoalte being whisked in a ceramic bowl with chocolate pieces laying around

The History of Chocolate

  • Ancient Mayan mural showing people preparing chocolate drink

    The History of Chocolate

    The history of chocolate is interesting and traces back to the ancient Mayans and Aztecs as well as the Olmecs. What started out as beans of the cacao tree that didn’t have that sweetest or most delightful taste, turned into one of the world's most beloved sweet treats. The fruit of these cacao trees were used to make chocolate. These fruits, better known as pods, have around 40 cacao beans inside them. These beans were then dried, roasted, and ground down and then mixed with water, chilies, and cornmeal to create a drink the Mayans would call “xocolatl”, which means bitter water.

    Eventually chocolate was discovered by others and by the late 1500s was beloved by Spain. Spreading throughout Europe, Europeans soon realized that by adding sugar, cinnamon, and other spices, chocolate became much more valuable and more delicious. By 1773, cacao beans were available and used to make chocolate in American colonies. In the 19th century, chocolate was consumed as a liquid like hot chocolate. In 1847, J.S. Fry and Sons created the first chocolate bar using a paste made of sugar, chocolate liquor and cocoa butter. If you’re wondering about companies such as Hershey and Mars, they got their start earlier in the 20th century where some of our favorite chocolate treats are created.

Recipes

The amount of recipes that include chocolate are astronomical. From chocolate cake to chocolate chip cookies, there are so many comforting treats to bake solo or with friends and family. However, chocolate isn’t just limited to desserts and sweet treats. Many people use it in savory food dishes such as chili, pasta, and even short ribs. Chocolate can be paired with the most bizarre food ingredients like fresh herbs, vegetables, and peppers that can be used to enhance the chocolate flavor and the paired item. This just proves how versatile and amazing chocolate is. It is amazing to see how far it has come and how it has evolved into something so memorable and extraordinary!

Taste isn't the only thing that has evolved in chocolate over the years. Texture plays an important role in how chocolate is used in food and how it is consumed today. Before, chocolate was very gritty with a rough texture. This seems so weird when we think about chocolate frosting or candy bars that have that “melt in your mouth” factor. Adding ingredients such as cocoa butter made for a much more smooth and delightful texture. Temperature is another key factor in how chocolate is made. With the right heating and cooling methods, chocolate can be molded into something that has more structure, sort of like a chocolate bar that has that snap when it’s being bitten into.

Shops

When we think of chocolate perhaps we think of Hershey or Ghirardelli Chocolate Company. Have you ever wondered about what chocolate shops are considered the best in the world? If so, then I have some exciting places to share with you! One includes Teuscher in Zurich, Switzerland. They are known for having some of the best chocolate truffles in the world. Vosges Haut-Chocolat in Chicago, Illinois, USA offers some of the best chocolate gift boxes. They also provide customized gifts and wedding favors. Jacques Torres Chocolate Shop in New York, New York, USA has a wide variety of chocolate offered. They are also known for having seasonal chocolate treats be the star of the show.

Another well known chocolate shop is Valrhona in France. This chocolate shop provides guests with chocolate tastings, chocolate gift boxes, and even chocolate decorations. This shop even has a dedicated section for moulds and accessories. This includes Christmas Moulds, Easter Moulds, and even simple chocolate bar molds. The creativity and festivity of these chocolate shops are amazing and inspirational! The last chocolate shop I will mention is Puccini Bomboni in Amsterdam, Netherlands. This place offers vegan chocolate, mango covered chocolate, and has a large assortment of bonbons. So whether you're in Europe, the United States, or in the Netherlands, there is always a spot to stop at for your favorite and most desirable chocolate treats.