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In Central America, where the plant grows under hot and humid conditions, Prufer noted, the beverage was consumed in wedding rituals, in ceremonies marking a change in social or political status and as an offering when people died, among other uses. Users would pour it from one cylinder to another repeatedly to create a highly desirable froth.
Cacao, the staple of Valentine's Day chocolates and hot drinks by a cozy winter fire, made it to the American Southwest by AD 1000, centuries earlier than researchers had believed.
Previous studies had not placed cacao in what is now the United States until after the Spanish conquest of South America in the 15th century.
The nearest source for the cacao, which was made into a bitter beverage used in religious and other rituals, was more than 1,200 miles to the south in Mexico.
The new findings were reported in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
Archaeologist Cameron McNeil, who edited a book on the cultural history of chocolate in Central America, is surprised to find cacao apparently heavily traded in the area of Pueblo Bonito. "This would have been phenomenally expensive" given the sheer length of the trading route, she says. That means that just "as fine wines and brandies advertise the lofty position of individuals in our own culture," drinking chocolate was probably a sign of status for these early Native American communities.
There are chemicals in chocolate that act like THC, resulting in production of dopamine, a neurotransmitter
Chocolate also contains phenylethylamine, a chemical related to amphetamines. Like amphetamines, this chemical causes blood pressure and blood-sugar levels to rise, resulting in a feeling of alertness and contentment. Phenylethylamine has been called the "love-drug" because it quickens your pulse, as if you are in love. Caffeine in chocolate may also cause feelings of alertness and a pounding heart. Other stimulants in chocolate include theobromine and methylxanthines
What was chocolate doing so far north? In Pueblo Bonito, the cylindrical vases appear at only a few sites and there are not many of them. They also don't show up in burial sites, which means that they probably belonged to the community, says Crown. Drinking chocolate was likely a part of elaborate ceremonies similar to those seen in Mayan culture, she says.
Originally posted by DrumsRfun
Chocolate is one of the things I can't stand.
I am one of the only ones I know who can't stand it.
Its even in my dislikes on my profile.LOL
Originally posted by SLAYER69
reply to post by MischeviousElf
I must admit I hide chocolate
There I said it ok!
So did my X-wife and now my new girlfriend does.
Originally posted by DrumsRfun
Chocolate is one of the things I can't stand.
I am one of the only ones I know who can't stand it.
Its even in my dislikes on my profile.LOL
I won't go so far as to say that I can't stand it but I won't cross the street for it.
Originally posted by marg6043
That is one of the stories I use to tell to my students when I use to teach Spanish, the history of cacao.
It was one of my favorites when you tell the kids that the real stuff it only taste good because the amount of sugar is used, but actually is quite bitter.
I love chocolate but now I stick with either very high quality dark is better for your health.
Originally posted by MischeviousElf
I prefer very dark rich chocolate too myself, don't as said have it very often now but I am going to sign of in a moment and and make for the first time in ages, real milk, with organic/fairtrade south American Dark Cocoa whisk it up in a pan, and make like an Aztec as I sleep tonight
Kind Regards,
Elf
Why is this thread attracting the non choco lovers lol, well a fair balance anyhow.
Originally posted by coredrill
Anyone ever tried the ancient way of drinking chocolate? mixed with chillies??
May be i should try it out.