CHOCOLATE Cacao is the plant and all its products, before processing. Cacao refers to the unprocessed seed of the cacao tree, although some use the term "cocoa" to refer to the plant and its seeds. Chocolate is the product of the seeds of the cacao plant after processing, whether liquid or solid. Chocolate is made from cocoa beans found on the cacao tree. The cacao tree was first discovered in the South American rainforest. The three main ingredients in chocolate are chocolate liquor, cocoa powder, and cocoa butter. Different kinds of chocolate use varying amounts of these 3 ingredients. Chocolate is a processed food produced from the seed of the tropical tree cacao, which is scientifically identified as, “Theobroma cacao” The Greek meaning of ‘Theobroma cacao’ is the “Food of the Gods” The word ‘Chocolate’ is said to derive from the Aztec word, ‘Xocolatl’ (which is in Nuhatl Language), which means “Bitter Water” Grown 15 degrees north or south of the equator 70% grown in West Africa with Ivory Coast and Ghana largest producers Brazil and Ecuador also large producers Takes 5 years for trees to produce Most produced by small farmers Cocoa beans are known to have more than 300 healthful compounds. It includes, phenylethylamine, theobromine, and many polyphenols, like flavonoids. Cocoa beans also contain many vitamins and minerals as well as healthy doses Mayan Civilization: The Mayans took the cacao trees and grew it for themselves. They harvested, fermented, roasted, and ground the seeds into a paste and created a chocolate drink. The drink was made by mixing water, Chile peppers, cornmeal, cocoa beans, and some other ingredients. The Mayans believed the cacao tree came from a divine source and worshipped the tree. They used the drink in ceremonies, such as religious and burial ceremonies. It was also drunk by people in the upper class, including the wealthy and the religious elite. Aztecs: The Aztecs came across the cacao beans through trade, because they were unable to grow the cacao tree for themselves due to the climate.. They named the spicy drink xocaltl, meaning bitter water. The Aztec emperor, Montezuma, loved the drink so much he was said to have drank it 50 times a day. He was reported to have taken the drink before visiting his wives so historians say that this might have been where the legends of chocolate being an aphrodisiac began.