mitsuki Posted February 14, 2013 Today the world honors the magnificent ancient gift of chocolate. The Mayans and Aztecs consumed their cacao in a very different way. The Mayan chocol haa (“hot water") and the Aztec xocoatl ("bitter water") were frothy drinks consisting of cacao paste, chilies, spices, and/or ground corn. Although these drinks don't sound too pleasant, they were prized for their health benefits. In the 1500s, the Spanish innovated the drink by adding cane sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla. In the 1600s, the rest of Europe was finally introduced to the drink. In the 1700s, the English further improved upon the recipe by adding milk. It wasn't until the 1800s when chocolate finally took solid form. Fermented and roasted cocoa beans are essentially deconstructed into cocoa powder and cocoa butter and recombined in different ratios with or without concentrated milk and vanilla to form dark and milk chocolate. The result is magical. I hope you enjoy some chocolate with a friend today. Happy Valentine's Day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Averis Posted February 14, 2013 Happy Valentine's Day!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
finnleo Posted February 14, 2013 Suitably, also available in white form ... brand plugging (sickeningly sweet white chocolate, with added honey, and almods ... the swiss are evil...) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
milkytea Posted February 14, 2013 Happy Valentine's Day, everyone~! ♥ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
littlebearries Posted February 14, 2013 Happy Valentines! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
baldylox Posted February 15, 2013 Thank you Mitsuki for that awesome info on chocolate! That's a neat read. And also, thanks so much for sharing those great pics of your girls! I think you posted a photo of every one of my favorites of yours! It's great seeing them all lovey dovey and adorable like this! Please let them know I appreciate it! Billy I gave up counting the girls I own, they keep multiplying and won't stop. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mitsuki Posted February 16, 2013 Happy Valentine's Day, Averis! That is hilarious about the Swiss, finnleo! That is the perfect white chocolate costume! I hope you had a wonderful day, milkytea! Happy Valentine's Day, littlebearries! Thank you, Billy. They are always lovey dovey. haha I am glad you like them that way. "Love is puppies. Love is kitties." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
otakusan Posted February 17, 2013 Nice V-Day theme I had so much chocolate that day (all of which are the free stuff people bring to work and share) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
mitsuki Posted February 17, 2013 You did, otakusan? That is great! I hope it was a fun day. I am continuing on the chocolate theme. I will try some top secret chocolate truffle recipes next. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
