Do you like chocolate? If yes, then you know that sometimes nothing can satisfy a chocolate craving but chocolate. It could be a chocolate candy bar, a piece from a gift box, or as simple as a glass of chocolate milk. It would be hard to list all the varieties of chocolate or all the products that include chocolate (cocoa) or cacao in their ingredient list. As the saying goes, America runs on chocolate.
Chocolate is made from the fruit of cacao trees which are native to Central and South America. The fruits are called pods and each pod contains around 40 cacao beans. The beans are dried and roasted to create cocoa beans.
Many historians agree that the ancient Olmecs of Sothern Mexico used cacao to create a ceremonial drink. This civilization passed their knowledge onto the Central American Mayans. Their written history includes the drink was used in celebrations as well as with every meal in many households. The Aztecs believed cacao was given to them by their gods. They also used cacao beans as currency to buy food and supplies. This culture considered the beans more valuable than gold.
Historians agree that when chocolate first arrived in Europe, it was brought by Spanish explorers returning from Mexico. By the late 1500s, it was often served in the Spanish court. Chocolate houses for the wealthy rapidly spread throughout European cities.
Ship ledgers confirm that chocolate arrived in Florida on a Spanish vessel in 1641. By 1773, cocoas beans became a staple import for the American colonies. During the Revolutionary War, as well as WWI and WWII, chocolate was provided as part of the soldier’s ration packs.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, chocolatiers created bars and confectionaries, and major chocolate companies began to mass market a variety of chocolate treats. Do you know that M&M’s are the number one chocolate item sold in the USA?
Today, cocoa from the cacao bean is used in new varieties of food products from beverages to spaghetti sauce.
If you are having a craving for chocolate, I have two recipes that I find quick and easy to make and are satisfying to eat.
Chocolate – Applesauce Brownie
2 TBS Brownie Mix (any brand)
2 TBS Applesauce (any brand)
Mix together in small microwave dish. Cook on high for about a minute. Check for doneness using a toothpick. Serve warm. Add a dollop of ice cream for a truly decadent treat.
Chocolate Brownie Muffins
1 box devil’s food cake mix
1 15 oz. can pure pumpkin (not pumpkin pie mix)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Line 12 muffin cups with foil liners.
In large bowl, combine cake mix and pumpkin until smooth and uniform.
Fill muffin cups.
Bake about 20 minutes, until toothpick comes out mostly clean.
Just to be sure I can satisfy my chocolate craving when it happens I keep a box of the brownie mix in my pantry next a jar of applesauce.
Enjoy.
Believing in tomorrow (and chocolate),
Gini
