The document discusses the origins and history of chocolate, beginning with its discovery in Mesoamerica around 1400 BC from the cacao pod and bean of the cacao tree. It describes how the Mayans and Aztecs used cacao beans, considering it a gift for the gods and using it in rituals and as currency. When the Spanish conquered Mesoamerica, they introduced chocolate to Europe. Over time, chocolate became popular and its cultivation contributed to the Spanish Empire's wealth, though disease and competition eventually led to its decline. The document also discusses the invention of chocolate processing methods like chocolate bars and how chocolate was involved in the invention of microwave technology.

2. There was a fruit called Cacao Pod growing on the The OBROMA CACAO tree, whose
pulp was fermented to make alcohol.
Let’s go back to 1400 BC in
Mesoamerica,
From the residue of this seed a bean was discovered called CACAO BEAN from which
was obtained, what was to become one of the history’s most important discovery .

4. MAYANS AND CHOCOLATE
•First ones to use cacao beans in ancient
Mesoamerica, with evidence dating back to 600
BC.
•Made as a frothy beverage mixed in water ,
served to royals.
•Used as a gift to the deities and
in a variety of religious rituals
honoring the Mayan gods.
•Used as currency.
•Considered “Food of Gods." The
Mayan had a goddess of
chocolate- Goddess Ixcacao.

5. AZTECS AND CHOCOLATE
•The Aztecs learned about chocolate from the Mayans when they conquered their
region.
•According to myths, the Aztec received cacao
when Quetzalcoatl descended from heaven on
the beam of a morning star, carrying a cacao
tree stolen from paradise.
•The Aztec way of making chocolate similar to
that of the Mayans ,only real difference being
that the Aztec beverage was consumed cool
rather than hot.
•The Aztecs used cacao beans as currency and
valued even above silver and gold as they
believed wisdom and power came from
consuming it.

6. Spain and Chocolate
•Spaniards were introduced to cacao during Spanish Colonization conquests of the
1500s.
•Came to know about the value that the beans held and started harvesting Cacao.
• Started using them as currency.
• Introduced addition of sweeteners such as sugar in the drinks to adapt to their
palate.

7. The treasure that sank the Spanish
Empire
•Spain introduced chocolate to Europe and had monopoly over it.
•Its cultivation was a contributor to Empire’s income
•However, Central American plantation of cacao plagued by disease.
•Then they started Expansion of Cacao plantation in other parts of the world such
as Venezuela and Philippines.
•This lead to losing of monopoly over cacao and competition by other nations.
•Eventual fall of wealth and power.

8. Chocolate invented counterfeiting
•Used as currency in the 14th
century Aztec empire .
•Taxes paid in the form of
cacao beans.
• Then people started making
Fake beans made with clay
mixed with ashes and baked
in sun.
• The Guilty criminals were charged with death penalty if caught.
•This lead to losing of monopoly over cacao and competition by other nations.
•Eventual fall of wealth and power.

10. PROCESS OF CHOCOLATE
In 1847,First chocolate bar invented by Joseph Fry. Prior to that it was consumed as a
beverage in water or milk.

12. The first one they heated intentionally was popcorn kernels, which became the world’s first
microwaved popcorn.
HOW CHOCOALATE INVENTED MICROWAVE
One day, while Spencer was working on building magnetrons for radar sets, he was standing
in front of an active radar set when he noticed the candy bar he had in his pocket melted.
Spencer wasn’t the first to notice something like this wradars, but he was the first to investigate
it.
He and some other colleagues then began trying to heat other food objects to see if a similar
heating effect could be observed.

13. MYTHS ABOUT CHOCOLATE

14. There are many myths and half-truths about the effects of
chocolate on the human body.
•Studies show that chocolate is not a causative factor in acne.
•Cacao contains the stimulants caffeine and bromine, but in such small quantities
that they don't cause nervous excitability.
•Chocolate is not addictive.
•Chocolate contains stearic acid, a
neutral fat which doesn't raise bad
cholesterol.
•Chocolate doesn't make you 'high'.
You'd need to eat a huge quantity
(about 25 pounds at one sitting) to
feel any noticeable effect.
•Drinking a cup of hot chocolate before meals may actually diminish appetite.

15. Chocolate is Healthy
4. Chocolate reduces the likelihood of
a heart attack- Other studies show
that eating chocolate prevents blood
clots, which in turn reduces the risk of
heart attacks.
1. Chocolate decreases stroke risk- A Swedish study found that eating more than 45 grams of
chocolate per week—about two bars worth—led to a 20 percent decrease in stroke risk among
women.
3. Chocolate protects against blood
inflammation
About 6.7 grams of dark chocolate per
day keeps the blood inflammation-
inducing proteins away.
2. Chocolate helps with math- The findings suggest students who binge on chocolate when
revising for exams may gain a real benefit from doing so

16. 11. Chocolate makes you live longer
5. Chocolate may prevent cancer
6. Chocolate reduces the risk of diabetes
7. Chocolate is good for your skin
8. Chocolate can control coughs
9. Chocolate improves blood flow
10. Chocolate strengthens your brain
Chocolate is Healthy

17. Chocolate cravings are a result of the chemical ingredients found in chocolate.
Chocolate cravings come from the sensory properties of chocolate = texture, taste,
smell, and color.
Many theories exist, but there is no conclusive scientific evidence on what causes
people to crave chocolate.
Chocolate Craving Theories

19. 5. The inventor of the Chocolate Chip Cookie sold the
idea to Nestle Toll House in return for a lifetime supply of
chocolate.
4. It takes approximately 400 cacao beans to makeone
pound (450 gr.) of chocolate.
1. The smell of chocolate increases the brain waves,
which triggers relaxation. This is mainly why people
feel better about their problems after eating loads of it
2. Chocolate has an anti-bacterial effect on the mouth
and protect against tooth decay.
3. M&Ms were created in 1941 as a means for soldiers to
enjoy chocolate without it melting
6. There are Potato Chips Dipped in MilkChocolate.

20. 7. Every second, Americans collectively eat 100 pounds of chocolate.

21. THE CURRENT MARKET PLAYERS