Chocolate is the name for processed foods or beverages from cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao. Chocolate was first consumed by the ancient Mesoamerican population as a beverage, although it is believed that the first chocolate could only be consumed by the nobles.
Chocolate is commonlly given as a gift or a gift at the festival. With unique shapes, styles and flavors, chocolate is often used as an expression of gratitude, sympathy, or concern even as a statement of love. Chocolate has also become one of the most popular flavors in the world. In addition to consumed most commonly in the form of chocolate bars, chocolate is also a beverage of warm and cold drinks.
Historically Chocolate was originally drunk and not eaten.
Chocolate is produced from cocoa (Theobroma cacao) which is predicted to grow first in the northern Amazon region to Central America. Probably to Chiapas, the southernmost part of Mexico. The Olmecs made use of the trees and, perhaps also, made "chocolate" along the Gulf coast in southern Mexico. The earliest documentation on chocolate was found on its use at a chocolate processing site in Puerto Escondido, Honduras around 1100-1400 BC [2]. The residue obtained from these processing tanks indicates that initially the use of cocoa is not intended to make drinks alone, but the white selectivity of cocoa beans is more likely to be used as a source of sugar for alcoholic beverages.
Chocolate residues found in pottery used by ancient Mayans in Río Azul, Northern Guatemala, show that the Maya drank chocolate in about 400 BC. The first civilization that inhabited the Meso-American region knew the "kakawa" tree whose fruit was consumed as an xocolātl drink which meant bitter beverage. According to them, these drinks need to be consumed every day, for whatever reason. However, it seems that chocolate is also a symbol of prosperity.
How to present it was not arbitrary. By holding this liquid container at chest level and pouring it into another container on the ground, an expert presenter can make a thick foam, the part that makes the drink so valuable. This foam is actually produced by cocoa butter (cocoa butter) but sometimes added also additional foam. Meso-Americans seem to have an important habit of drinking and eating porridge containing chocolate.
The seeds of the cocoa tree itself are very bitter and must be fermented so that the taste can be obtained. After baked and powdered the result is chocolate or cocoa. It is estimated that Mayan chocolate drinking habits began around 450 BC - 500 BC. That said, consumption of chocolate is considered a symbol of important status at that time. Maya tribe consume chocolate in the form of a bubbly liquid sprinkled with red pepper, vanilla, or other spices. Xocoatl drinks are also believed to be a tranquilizer, a belief that may be caused by theobromin content in it.
When classical Maya civilization collapsed (circa 900) and was replaced by Toltecs, cocoa beans became Meso-American main commodities. By the time the Aztec Empire came to power (until about 1500 BC) the area covering Mexico City is now known as the Meso-American region most rich in cocoa beans. For the Aztec cocoa beans are "the food of the gods" (theobroma, from Greek). Usually cocoa beans are used in religious ceremonies and as gifts.
Chocolate also became a luxury in the time of Colombian-Meso America, in their culture of the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec cocoa beans (cacao bean) is often used as a currency [3]. For example the Aztec Indians use a calculation system where one turkey chicken costs one hundred cocoa beans and one avocado for three cocoa beans.
While in 1544 M, Maya Kekchi delegates from Guatemala who visited the Spanish court brought gifts, among them chocolate drinks.
LIQUID CHOCOLATE
At the beginning of the 17th century, chocolate became a popular refreshing drink in the Spanish palace. Throughout the century, chocolate spread among the European elite, then through a democratic process the price became quite cheap, and by the end of the century it became a drink enjoyed by the merchant class. Approximately 100 years after his arrival in Europe, so famous chocolate in London, until a "brown house" was built to store chocolate supplies, starting in coffee houses. The first chocolate house opened in 1657. And the first chocolate ice recipe was known to have originated from England in 1668.
In 1689 a doctor and a collector named Hans Sloane, developed a type of chocolate milk drink in Jamaica and originally drunk by apothekari tribes, but the drink was later sold by Cadbury brothers.
All European chocolate was originally consumed as a drink. New in 1847 found solid chocolate. Europeans throw away almost all the spices added by Meso-Americans, but often retain vanilla. Also replace many spices to suit their own tastes ranging from special recipes that require ambergris, waxy purplish dyes extracted from the whale's intestines, to more common ingredients such as cinnamon or cloves. However, the most frequently added is sugar. In contrast, the Meso-American chocolate does not seem to be sweet.
THE FAVOUR OF CHOCHOLATE
Chocolate taste is still difficult to define. In his book Emperor of Chocolate, Joel Glenn Brenner describes recent research on taste. According to him chocolate is created from a mixture of 1,200 kinds of substances, without a sense that is clearly dominant. Some of the substances that it feels very uncomfortable when standing alone. Therefore, until now there is no sense of artificial chocolate.
Psychological effects that occur when enjoying chocolate due to melting point cocoa fat is located slightly below the normal temperature of the human body. As an illustration, if you eat a piece of chocolate, the fat from the chocolate will melt in the mouth. The fatty luminosity of cocoa creates a distinctive soft feeling in the mouth, the latest BBC research indicates that his brown melt in the mouth increases brain activity and heart beat more strongly than the activity resulting from mouth-to-mouth kissing, and will also be felt four times longer even after this activity stopped.
THE FAKE TASTE
Chocolate flavor forgery often occurs because cocoa is a relatively expensive material compared to sugar or vegetable oils. Both of these materials are often used to replace cocoa.
Cocoa fats are often replaced with cheaper oils, such as lecithin from soybeans or palm oil. Besides the price, with these two ingredients, chocolate coating becomes easier. Comparisons of solid cocoa (non-crude components in ground beans) also tend to be low. In chocolate bars, for example, about 20% of the candy is filled with chocolate.
Premium chocolate, on the other hand, usually contains about 50 - 70% solid chocolate. Because it contains less sugar and maybe a little bit of vegetable oil, this dark chocolate contains fewer calories than most chocolate products. No wonder chocolate lovers often "protest" because chocolate is blamed for the real problem caused by excessive sugar consumption.
CHOCOLATE INGREDIENT
Chocolate contains alkaloids such as theobromine, phenethylamine, and anandamide, which have physiological effects on the body. These contents are often associated with serotonin levels in the brain. According to scientists, chocolate is eaten in normal amounts regularly can lower blood pressure. Black chocolate lately get a lot of promotions because it benefits health when consumed in moderation, including anti-oxidants that can reduce the formation of free radicals in the body.
toxic to certain animals
The presence of teobromin content in chocolate can be toxic to some animals when consumed. Animals that react to poisoning in teobromin content include horses, dogs, elderly birds, small mice and cats (especially kittens), this is because their body metabolism can not digest these chemicals effectively. When they are fed chocolate, theobobin content will remain in their bloodstream for up to 20 hours, consequently these animals may experience epilepsy and convulsions, heart attacks, internal bleeding, and eventually lead to death. The response is by stimulating these animals to spit out chocolate and as soon as possible to take them to the vet.
THE BENEFIT FOR YOUR HEALTH
Reduce bad cholesterol
Reduce the risk of heart disease
Cleans the skin
Prevent various diseases
Enjoy to drink a cup chocplate
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