The Cocoa Tree

Cacao or Kakaw, according to Maya belief was discovered by the gods in a mountain that also held other delectable foods that were used by the native Mayas. Mayan mythology states that after humans were created from maize the Plumed Serpent gave cacao to the Mayas. Cocoa was regularly given as a sacrifice to the many Mayan Gods, often times priests would lance their ears and cover the cacoa with their blood as a sacrifice. This ritual was only performed by the men, as cacoa was thought to be toxic to women and children.

Soon the Maya learned to flavor the cocoa by mixing it with maize,chili, vanilla, peanut butter and honey. (Cookies and Cream came later.) It is believed the Aztecs learned to grind it and mix with tobacco.

Christopher Columbus was the first European to encounter cocoa after capturing a canoe at Guanaja and finding a large quantity of odd looking almonds. From this encounter cocoa naturally spread throughout Europe and became a popular drink the world over.

Cocoa trees produce the cocoa bean that is responsible for making chocolate. The trees are known to grow naturally within 15 degrees of the equator all around the world.Growing the cocoa plant is very difficult because they are so picky about the care that they need and will not survive in all conditions,but a healthy cocoa tree growing 20 or more feet tall can produce fruit for 75 to 100 years. The cocoa tree needs a well-draining and slightly acidic soil, at least 80 inches of rainfall or water a year and it needs extremely controlled sunlight, preferably covered shade from taller trees and vegetation.

Chocolate contains many chemicals, among them are, caffeine,serotonin, theobromine, and phenylethyamin are anti-depressant and anti-stress agents.

Source : ezinearticles