It is a delicious irony that our word for chocolate most likely comes from an Aztec word that meant ‘bitter drink’. These ancient people esteemed the cacao tree, and it has been cultivated in South America for three millennia. The peoples of Mesoamerica enjoyed a legend that they had once lived in harmony with the Gods in a garden paradise -- until mankind was banished for attempting to become God’s equal.
Life in the outside world was harsh, and so a soft hearted God called Quetzalcoatl brought a theobroma cacao tree from the garden. The name means ‘Cacao, food of the Gods’. Quetzalcoatl taught Mankind the magical qualities of the tree, including its ability to fight fatigue and aid romance. Of the latter, present day research states that each bite of good chocolate should be savoured for approximately one minute to gain the most benefit from increased brain activity and raised heart rate. Make sure that your gift is not gobbled up too quickly!
The most valuable of the cacao beans to the Aztecs was that from a tree that is very difficult to grow, requires the most exacting conditions and only grows at a certain latitude. The beans are not bitter but very smooth. They are criollo beans -- still rare, still the most valuable.
Puns plus -
No matter how much you push the envelope, it'll still be stationery.
A dog gave birth to puppies near the road and was cited for littering.
That last one is pure Silicon Valley humor--love it!
ReplyDeleteIt's ambrosia when it's mixed with hazelnuts.
ReplyDelete