How is Chocolate Made? From Bean to Bar

Who doesn’t love chocolate? Well, maybe someone does, but it’s a rarity.

Chocolate is one of the most popular and delicious treats in the world. But have you ever wondered where it comes from or how it’s made? 

In today’s episode, we will tell you a bit of the history of the brown gold, its production process, the biggest producers, and tips on how to best enjoy it. 

A Brief History of Chocolate

Chocolate comes from the seeds of the cacao tree, which grow in tropical regions around the globe. 

It has been consumed since at least the Olmec civilisation in Mesoamerica, dating back to the 19th–11th centuries BCE. The Mayans and Aztecs also enjoyed chocolate beverages before European contact. 

Christopher Columbus encountered cacao beans during his fourth mission to the Americas and introduced them to Spain. 

Nevertheless, chocolate didn’t gain traction in Europe until Spanish friars presented it to the Spanish court. 

Initially consumed as a beverage, the Spanish added sugar and honey to counter its natural bitterness. 

By the 17th century, chocolate had become a European staple. 

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