The Rich History of Cocoa

Did you know that the story of cocoa begins with ancient civilizations and sacred rituals? Cocoa, derived from the tropical cacao tree, has travelled through time, from the frothy, spiced drinks of the Mayans and Aztecs to many of the sweeter treats we love today. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t be incorporated into a nourishing breakfast.   

The history of cocoa — the source of chocolate — spans thousands of years. Cocoa is made from the seeds, or beans, of the cacao tree (Theobroma cacao), a small evergreen that grows in the tropics. It is native to the rainforests of Central and South America. The earliest evidence of the use of cacao beans comes from the Olmecs, one of the oldest civilizations in Mesoamerica, around 1500 BCE. The Mayans and Aztecs are thought to be among the first to cultivate and use them. Today, most cacao beans are grown in tropical regions near the equator, especially in West Africa (with Côte d’Ivoire and Ghana as the top producers), Latin America and Southeast Asia. 

The Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs primarily used cacao to make a bitter, frothy beverage often flavoured with spices like chili and vanilla. This drink was considered sacred and was used in religious ceremonies and as a luxury drink for the elite. 

The most common use of cocoa today is in chocolate production. The beans are fermented, dried, roasted and processed into cocoa mass, cocoa butter and cocoa powder, which are then used to make chocolate bars, drinks and various confections, including the Cocoa Chia Seed Pudding you can find in our cookbook! 

Main ingredients:  

• Soy milk 

• Chia seeds 

• Cocoa powder 

• Mashed banana 

• Vanilla extract 

Where to include students: 

Students can assist in making the pudding by measuring the ingredients. They can help combine the ingredients in a bowl and divide the mixture into individual serving cups. Students can also clean and cut fruit and prepare granola to be used as a decorative topping. 

Link to recipe: Recipe Book Breakfast Club of Canada – Cocoa Chia seed pudding

Sources:

https://www.history.com/topics/ancient-americas/history-of-chocolate

https://worldcocoafoundation.org/from-bean-to-bar

https://apps.worldagroforestry.org/treesandmarkets/inaforesta/history.htm