Chocolate history

For 1500 B.C. the coast of the Gulf of Mexico was inhabited by tribes of Olmecs. Scientists say that they put Indian tradition to light up a pipe of peace and a habit to chew fruits of an undersized tree which they called – "kakawa".

For 1000 B.C., ancestors of the Maya came to the same lands and forced out a civilization of Olmecs. In 600 our era Maya built the cities, locks and began to grow up cocoa on plantations.

They had a set of recipes of preparation of this drink with the most various additives. And there was even god who, according to them, and grew up a garden with trees on which cocoa beans grew.

But after 1200 the civilization of the Maya was replaced by Aztecs who inhabited these lands up to invasion of Spaniards. In 1521 the empire of Aztecs was destroyed.

At Aztecs cocoa beans replaced money. Interesting data, for example, a turkey remained, cost 200 seeds of cocoa, and services of the prostitute of they are 6 grains.

The word chocolate in Indian language consisted of two words - "choco", foam and "atl", water – it is probable because initially chocolate was only drink.

It is considered that Christopher Columbus was the first European who tasted chocolate, and there was it in 1502. They say that drink was not pleasant to Columbus at all, but he after all presented cocoa beans from the fourth expedition to the New World to the king Ferdinand. However then nobody drew of due consideration to this gift, and they simply got lost.

Fernando Cortés managed to appreciate drink of Indians, its aroma and the toning properties delighted the colonialist. In 1526 the box of cocoa beans was delivered to Spain and subdued the king and court. Soon the cup of morning cocoa turned into a ritual of the nobility.

The church tried to condemn and forbid consumption of cocoa. Fight between opponents and defenders chocolate lasted until the cup of drink was not brought to the father Pius V. Having tasted drink, that said the well-known phrase: "Chocolate of a post does not break. Such muck cannot bring someone pleasure".

Actually, brings to much. Contains in chocolate feniletilamin and theobromine which promote production of hormone of happiness, causing increase in mood and some euphoria.

In the Middle Ages chocolate was used as remedy against cold and even a tuberculosis. Men actively treated to them sexual problems. For example, Casanova believed that the cup of morning chocolate allowed it to have a reputation for the tireless lover.

The first firm chocolate was put on the market by Swiss Daniel Petter in 1879. And since then chocolate strides on the world, pleasing millions of people around the world.

And still chocolate serves business of beauty. Masks, wrappings, massages, bathtubs – women learned to derive enormous benefit from chocolate.

- The mask giving to skin a suntan shade
To kindle a small tile of dark chocolate, to add 1 teaspoon of olive oil, to stir, to cool and put a little on a face. In ten minutes to wash away warmish water.

- A mask for oily skin
To mix 2 tablespoons of the kindled dark chocolate with 2 tablespoons of the pulp of a kiwi turned into puree. To put on a face for 10 minutes. To wash away warm water, to wash cold.

- A mask for dry skin
To kindle a small tile of white chocolate, to add 1 teaspoon of olive oil and 2 teaspoons of sour cream, to mix. To put on a face for 10 minutes, to wash away warmish weak tea leaves of green tea. In 10 minutes to wash cool water.

If there is desire and means allow, then it is possible to visit beauty shop where do chocolate wrappings from cellulitis and even chocolate trays for legs.