Chocolate

When I am tired and depressed, I like to eat somethin sweet. In that name, I decided to write the word of one of the largest specialties that the human mind detected.Chocolate.Mmmmmmmm ...

Word chocolate means bitter water, and is derived from the Nahuatl language which is still spoken in Mexico and El Salvador. Story started more than 3000 years ago. The nations of Central America used cocoa bean as a means of payment ...as well as raw materials for the bitter drink enriched with vanilla, cayenne pepper and other spices. During his fourth trip to America in 1502. Christopher Columbus arrived in Nicaragua. He is the first European who discovered the cocoa bean. Fully burdened his dream to discover the way to India, Columbus just not showing any interest in this discovery!

In 1519, Hernando Cortez won the part of Mexico. Cortez , just like Columbus, is not showing any interest in the aroma of cocoa. Interested only in the fact that it is a means of payment he decide that can be planted so that the money could grows . In 1528, he is bringing to Spain the first cocoa seeds and machinery for their processing.

When a Spanish princess married to Lui XIII in 1615, the chocolate enters the big door of France and became a favorite drink on the palace.Crossed the La Manche in 1657. The first chocolate shop was opened in London. While cocoa slowly wins the world, chefs are trying to make chocolate confectionery.

1697. chocolate arrives in the small country hidden in the Alps. Mayor of Zurich is home from visits to Brussels and brings chocolate drink of heavenly taste. Industrialization chocolate begins in 1780, but not in Switzerland! The first factory was built in Barcelona. During this time, Swiss make chocolate drinks in small workshops, and the Italians gained the glory of their European chocolate specialties. The first chocolate factory in Switzerland was opened in 1819. year. Cailler, which is learned trade in Italy,opened it.

The next big step in chocolate history is specialty in mixing chocolate with milk. Believe it or not, noone came up to this idea till 1875. Swiss Daniel Peter commercializates the first milk chocolate, and in 1879, Rodolphe Lindt products the first chocolate panel, which is melting in the mouth. At the beginning of the 20th century, Spain lost its reputation of the greatest manufacturers of chocolate ... The two countries are now taking the role of leader on the market. Belgium - with its famous chocolate and Switzerland with the better known milk chocolate. Today the Swess are the biggest chocolate consumers in the world !

And for the end, one nice recipe for your pleasure :

Venezuelan hot chocolate

1.Tip the cacao and water into a small pan and bring to the boil, stirring frequently.

2.When thick and well combined, remove the hot chocolate from the heat.

3.Add honey or sugar to taste. You can thin the hot chocolate by adding extra water or vary it by adding a splash of milk or rum. Vanilla, chilli, cinnamon and nutmeg also make great additions.

Have a good and sweet day !