Cacao Story
Thousands of years ago deep in Central America’s rainforest, the Mayans first discovered the sensuous flavor of cacao (pronounced kah-cow), better known today as chocolate. They roasted and ground beans from the Theobroma cacao tree-a botanical name literally meaning “food of the gods”-and combined them with aromatic flowers, vanilla and wild honey to create a bitter, spicy concoction they called chocolatl. This luxury drink was enjoyed both hot and cold, but primarily by Mayan and Aztec nobility.The cacao tree only grows within twenty degrees of the equator, so its fruit was a rare and prized commodity among the indigenous people. Because of its great value, the Mayans and Aztecs not only drank cacao but also used the beans as currency. They found other uses for it as well, including medicinal, religious and culinary ones.
But for centuries, cacao remained a Central American secret.
Then in 1519, the Spanish explorer Cortés and his army reached Tenochtitlan (now Mexico City) and were graciously received by the Aztec emperor Moctezuma who served them with chocolatl in cups made from pure gold. Cortés eventually returned to Spain and brought with him great stores of cacao beans. The news of the chocolate drink quickly spread through Europe. Spanish Conquistadors brewed it to build up resistance and fight fatigue. Europeans prescribed it for depression and used ground cacao in love potions. When sugar was added as a sweetener in the 1600s, the drink’s popularity grew, but was enjoyed almost exclusively by European nobility.
It wasn’t until the 1700s that mass production of cacao drinks made it more affordable to all. In 1765 the first chocolate factory was built in the American Colonies, although cacao was still served only in liquid form. In the mid 1800s, dark chocolate became available in bars in England. Around that time the Swiss created milk chocolate and the French and Belgians introduced their exquisite chocolate truffles and other desserts.
Today, chocolate is one of the most popular sweet treats in the world. It is given as gifts for amorous and joyful celebrations. It lifts our spirits. And we know from scientific study that it is loaded with antioxidants and minerals that make it not only an indulgence for our senses, but also beneficial to our health.
Now discover Mayesa, the rich and indulgent cacao drink in the Mayan tradition that is as good to drink as it is good for you. Life is better with chocolate. Enjoy Mayesa!
If you would like to enter to win a 6 pack just enter the giveaway below.
Giveaway: (you must follow my blog publicly to enter the giveaway, leave a separate comment for each entry your complete, put your email address in your comment if it's not visible on your blogger profile, contiguous US only, no PO boxes)
To enter you must like http://www.facebook.com/DRINKMAYESA on facebook, leave a comment with your facebook name letting me know you are a fan.
Winner will be selected using random.org once the giveaway is over 2/5/12 at 7 PM EST. I will notify the winner via email. Winner will have 72 hours to respond to my email with their mailing address. Sponsor will mail prize directly to the winner.
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.
Winner selected and emailed:
- I liked them on Facebook. Michelle Henriquez vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
28 comments:
I am a fan as Shannon Baas.
slb3334@gmail.com
GFC friwend, Beth Elderton; FB fan---Mary Beth Elderton
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GFC: kyl neusch
like http://www.facebook.com/DRINKMAYESA on facebook: kyl neusch
GFC fan of Let's Eat Today, name Cindy M. Facebook fan of Drink Mayesa, FB name Cindy Merrill
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like Drink Mayesa on FB - Marianna B.
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Liked MAYESA on FB (AngelaWinesburg)
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I Follow with GFC
Jessica B
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I like Mayesa on FBk
Jessica B
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I follow via google
Diane Baum
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I follow via GFC as jeanne conner
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I liked MAYESA on Face book as jeannefairbanksconner
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like them on fb as shirley greenawalt zolenski
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I follow you by GFC
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I like Mayesa on FB
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I follow you on Google Friend Connect under the username lilyk. I follow Mayesa on Facebook under the username likwan.
I am a FB fan.
stephanie_adkins@yahoo.com
GFC follower as elangomatt and like on facebook with Aaron Bretveld
gfc follower and i like them on fb under amy deeter
amy16323(at)gmail(dot)com
im a fan, melanie dauterive
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I liked them on Facebook. Michelle Henriquez vidomich(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow your blog with GFC. garrettsambo@aol.com
I am a fan of Mayesha on Facebook. garrettsambo@windstream.net garrettsambo@aol.com
I liked them on FB.(Donna Kozar)
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I foLLOW YOU ON GFC.(Donna Kozar)
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Follow you via GCF.
Like DRINKMAYESA on Facebook.
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