History of hot chocolate

Hot chocolate today can be considered as a great way to treat children after a whole day spent in the cold during snowballs or sledging, but it has been a source of strength and health for thousands of years.

The first chocolate drink

The history of chocolate began in Central America. The cocoa plant began to grow about 3-4 thousand years ago, the Olmec tribes that lived in the southern part of modern Mexico. But the first chocolate was not made in solid form, as we used to see it now. Instead, the cocoa fruits were ground and mixed with water to make a kind of pasta. She became the first chocolate drink. To make the mixture frothy, it was poured from one vessel to another many times. It was found that such a drink raises the mood and increases energy. These positive effects led to the fact that the Olmecs began to believe in the magical properties of the drink, so very soon it was used only by important persons for carrying out the sacred ceremonies.

The symbol of power of Montezuma

From the Olmecs, the chocolate drink went to the Mayan civilization, which was passed on to the Aztecs. They are today and are the most famous pioneers of hot chocolate. The famous Aztec leader Montezuma II claimed cocoa beans as a tribute from the conquered peoples. He also drank a cup of hot chocolate every day to show his strength and wealth. In addition, he allowed to drink chocolate only to those subjects who carried military service.

After the people of Ernan Cortez faced the Aztecs, one of the Spaniard soldiers described Montezuma's love for a curious cocoa drink, as well as the method of its preparation and the necessary ingredients. Ultimately, Cortez conquered the Aztecs and opened the way for a popular drink to Spain, from where he spread throughout Europe and, eventually, the world.

Chocolate for the military

But Montezuma was not the only one who used hot chocolate for the armed forces. During the war for independence in America, doctors recommended a drink to the sick, wounded and tired soldiers in order to speed up their recovery. Also, each soldier had a small portion of chocolate, so that you could prepare a drink yourself.

Thomas Jefferson was so impressed with the drink that he wrote to John Adams in 1785: "The benefits of chocolate for health and nutrition in the near future can outshine coffee and tea in America." As we know, the Americans did not recognize hot chocolate as the main morning drink, but it remained a valuable source of food for future soldiers who participated in military conflicts. During the First World War, volunteers created stations near the battlefields to help the troops regain their strength and relieve fatigue. At these stations it was also possible to refresh yourself with a cup of warm chocolate. During the Second World War, the Americans also used chocolate, it was added to the soldiers' diet in 1944.

For the first time at the South Pole

But chocolate was used not only by soldiers. It became mandatory during scientific expeditions. During expeditions to the North and South Poles in the early 20th century, hot chocolate provided researchers with warmth, nutrients and increased energy, although this was not always enough. Captain Robert Scott and his team of four reached the South Pole on January 17, 1912. Their journey lasted a whole year, and all this time the basis of the ration was chocolate and stew.

Unfortunately, such a diet was not enough to withstand physical stress during the trip, and Scott and his team were killed by the cold and exhaustion on the way back.