Which Historical Foods Do We Still Eat Today?
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Chocolate
The oldest known trace of chocolate dates back to around 1,900 B.C., and was discovered in the Mesoamerican region, specifically in the present-day countries of Mexico and Guatemala. The remains of a cocoa beverage were found in vessels at the archaeological site of Puerto Escondido in Honduras.
These cacao drink remains provide early evidence of chocolate consumption and preparation in ancient Mesoamerica. Cacao was highly valued in pre-Columbian cultures, such as the Olmec, Maya, and Aztecs, who considered it a sacred beverage and used it in religious ceremonies and rituals.
Chocolate in its liquid form, known as xocoatl in Nahuatl (the language of the Aztecs), was prepared from roasted and ground cocoa beans and mixed with water, spices and sometimes natural sweeteners such as honey. The cocoa drink was appreciated for its bitter taste and was considered an energizing and revitalizing food.
The discovery of these cacao drink remains in Puerto Escondido, is a testimony to the long history of chocolate consumption in the region and its cultural importance in Mesoamerican civilizations.
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