Chocolate Was Not Always Chocolate
Chocolate candy bars are a favorite sweet treat for children and adults alike. In fact, many adults use children for holidays like Halloween just to do their chocolate candy bar bidding. Chocolate bars have a legendary history, as rich as the chocolaty treats we enjoy today.
The chocolate bar as we know it has been around for about a century, but people have been using Chocolate for thousands of years. Its most common ancient use was to make a sweet and spicy drink that the Aztecs called Xocolatl. Ground up cacao beans were mixed with water and a variety of spices like chili peppers to make this delicious concoction.
Ancient Civilizations
Cacao beans grow in the tropical, humid climate of southern Mexico, Central America, and South America. The Olmecs are traditionally thought to be the first true civilization to use chocolate, and there are even traces of the delicious stuff in ancient cooking pots from WAYYY back when (we're talking 4,500 years ago)! But archaeologists are unsure of how exactly it was used since the Olmecs left no written records.
In the 16th Century, Aztec Emperor Montezuma was a HUGE fan of this Cacao drink. He was rumored to consume 3 gallons of this stuff daily. We are pretty sure the Aztec people who watched him in horror as he guzzled gallons of spicy chocolate water were the ones coined the term 'Chocolate Wasted' - WAY before Adam Sandler. The Mayans, Aztecs and Olmecs believed chocolate to have mystical and spiritual qualities.
Spanish Influence
In the 1500's, the Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés went to Mexico in search of gold and silver but returned with chocolate for the king and royal court instead. They used the cacao to make a paste. They added cane sugar and cinnamon to make a bittersweet drink that is known today as hot coco.
Wealthy Spaniards kept this delectable treat a secret until 1615, when Anne of Austria married France's King Louis XIII. She brought the chocolate beverage with her, and it became very popular across Europe! Colonial plantations were then established in regions where the climate was hot and wet all year round to grow the bean. Princess Anne is the real MVP!
The Cocoa Press
In 1828, a Dutch chemist, Coenraad Johannes van Houten invented a cocoa press that facilitated the production of chocolate into solid form. This ushered in the modern era of chocolate by making it affordable for the masses. He also added alkaline salts to the chocolate mixture which helped remove that nasty bitterness from the chocolate.
In 1847, the first chocolate bar was made in Britain by Joseph Fry and his son by pressing paste made of chocolate into a bar shape. Fry's became the one of the largest commercial producers of chocolate in Britain and in 1866 began production on their famous Fry's Chocolate Cream Bar. You still see their name on candy bars today like Fry's Turkish Delight!
Bring in the Big Boys
In 1904, the Nestlé company, originally marketing condensed milk, starts selling chocolate for the first time after aiding chocolatier Daniel Peter in the creation of milk chocolate recipe in the 1880s. During World War II, Nestlé's products gained rapid popularity among American soldiers! Now, this small company has transformed into a global establishment, having ownership of all kinds of brands candy and non-candy alike.
Milton Hershey began his world-famous candy company in 1894, selling Hershey's cocoa as its very first product. In 1907, Hershey's Kisses finally hit the market, and the company now has expanded into making hundreds of chocolate products.
Cadbury Chocolate began in 1824 when John Cadbury opened his shop in Birmingham, England, selling drinking chocolate and cocoa. Cadbury is also the company noted for creating the chocolate heart box in 1861. So now when you're alone on Valentine's Day and jealous of your chocolate eating friends, blame Cadbury! Whatever the case, Cadbury is now a huge company creating lots of chocolate products to enjoy.
Chocolate Today
Now millions of companies specialize in the sale of chocolate worldwide. From caramel filled to white and dark, chocolate today comes in many different shapes, sizes, and flavors. It's a sweet staple in our lives that bring joy to many children and adults like. So next time you take a bite of your favorite chocolate bar, think about the years of effort and discovery behind the wrapper.
You can buy tons of delicious chocolate products on our main website. From chocolate pretzels to Hershey's Kisses, we've got it all! Don't be shy, go and check out our huge selection of chocolate suitable for any of your candy needs.
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If you enjoyed this candy history article and are curious to learn more about candy history and facts, come join us for our unique History of Candy Tour that we host in-store! We'll take you back in time to the ancient Egyptians, through the sugar craze of the 1950s, all the way to candy today. But hurry! Reservations go FAST! Book now for an unforgettable candy experience like no other.