Do you know the story of chocolate? Do you know where chocolate began and how it is made? The answers to these questions may help you to have an even higher opinion, and more enjoyment, of this delicious treat, the favourite of chocoholics all over the world.

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Everything has its beginning. Were you aware that even the process of making chocolate has astory of origin? May be your favorite option to take now in your freetime. Or you may even bealready addicted to chocolate - even a chocoholic, you might say. But this writing will not be ableto satisfy that craving as it atempts to supply better view as to how it all started.The Theobroma Cacao, sometimes called the food of the Gods, is what we all know as the cocoatree. Its origin can be traced to the rainforests of America, specifically Central America. Buthistorians are still discussing some facts about this tree.Xocolat, Anybody?There are arguments that the Mayans first grew the cacao tree in 300 AD. And the Aztecs hadtheir turn in cultivating the cacao tree in approximately 1100 AD. The chocolate that we all knownow was once called Xocolat. This was a special beverage that was made out of chilies, aniseseed, vanilla, cornmeal and some more spices. Only royalty was treated to such a delight duringthat time. It was served using gold cups that were for use only once.Protect the Chocolate!The cocoa tree is easily affected by its surroundings. It will grow best in the shades of the canopyof the rainforest. That's why, chocolate lovers must unite in the goal of saving the environment,especially in saving the rainforests where the cacaos will in all probability survive.The tree is unique in the sense that its fruits grow on its branches and trunk. The real reason for itis because of midges. They are the tiny insects that cause the pollination process during thenight.Do you know that the cacao tree can have approximately 10,000 blossoms, but only about 10 to50 of those will mature into fruits or the pod? It is because like an intelligent human being, thecacao tree can regulate its blossoms to the amount that it may handle and grow.The cacao tree self regulates this process to sustain its good health. It knows what it can containand handle. It knows just how many blossoms are enough and how many are too much. The treedoes this to save its internal systems and to prevent its branches from falling apart.The cocoa beans grow from the fruit, or the pod, from this intelligent tree. Harvesters wait for apod to ripen. They will then harvest the trees by hand and crack up the pods until they see white,pulpy elements that surround the seeds. The pulp is then disposed of, while the seeds arekeptbecause those are our cocoa beans, the source of your chocolate treats.These seeds are actually bitter right now. That is why, they will go through a fermentation processfor approximately 3 - 7 days. This causes the seeds to go through some chemical together withphysical changes. The results of this process will then be used for the historic royal treat: Xocolat.The beans are required to go through several processes after which before it can be used for thetraditional chocolate making purposes. Now you know where it comes from, you'll never see yourfavorite chocolate the same ever again. Whatever it has been through, chocolate will remain afavourite among children, and chocoholics, all over the world.Shanell S. Nelson is a seriously well-known chocoholic and has been for all her life. Working formany years in the realm of chocolate, openinghref="http://www.ChocoholicWorld.com">Chocoholic World felt like what she should done foreveras well. Click the link to our site where we have "everything chocolate, for chocolate lovers"!