Chocolate is something with which we are all familiar. It is available in many varieties. We have dark, milk and white chocolate. In addition, there are almost countless delicious flavours like popular biscuit fillings and even chilli (which might be an acquired taste). Chocolate-flavoured foods are also popular and we see everything from biscuits and cakes to puddings and even coffee with cocoa flavour added. Since we can’t remember a time without this delicious treat, many people wonder how it all came about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In around 1900BC, cacao beans that grew\nfrom the cacao tree were harvested by the Mesoamerica (now Mexico)\nlocals. They would mix the ground beans with cornmeal and chilli\nbefore preparing this mixture as a drink. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1519, thanks to groundbreaking\nexploration missions, Christopher Columbus stumbled upon this\ndelicious bean. He decided to take it back to Spain which led to a\ngreat demand and importing of this bean began. Later in the 1500s,\npeople started developing ways of improving the bitter flavour. They\nadded vanilla, and this gave the drink a much sweeter and more\nappealing taste. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 1828 the Dutch chemist, Coenraad Johannes van Houten, was ready to change the way we enjoy choc treats thanks to his cacao press. This press made it possible to extract cocoa butter from the beans and produce the solid form of chocolate that we enjoy today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Over the years, brands like Cadbury worked hard to maintain certain popularity by regularly presenting consumers with new delicious treats. While in Switzerland during the 1800s, Daniel Peter decided to combine melted chocolate with milk powder. The result was a delicious, creamy milk chocolate that helped define Switzerland as a giant in the industry. Even today when you mention Swiss chocs, everyone immediately thinks of delicious quality products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n