The Aztecs of Mexico spoke a language called Nahuatl. This langauge contained the word xocolatl, a combination of the words, xocolli, meaning “bitter”, and atl, which is “water”.
Dark xocolatl contains epicatechin which has been found to be beneficial to human health and a significant antioxidant action, protecting against LDL oxidation, perhaps more than other polyphenol antioxidant-rich foods and beverages. Some studies have also observed a modest reduction in blood pressure and flow-mediated dilation after consuming dark xocolatl daily. From Wikipedia: xocolatl
… has been used as a drink for nearly all of its history… The Maya civilization grew cacao trees… and used the cacao seeds it produced to make a frothy, bitter drink… In the New World, chocolate was consumed in a bitter, spicy drink called xocoatl, and was often flavored with vanilla, chile pepper, and achiote…
It was not until the Spanish conquest of the Aztecs that chocolate could be imported to Europe, where it quickly became a court favorite. To keep up with the high demand for this new drink, Spanish armies began enslaving Mesoamericans to produce cacao. Even with cacao harvesting becoming a regular business, only royalty and the well-connected could afford to drink this expensive import.
My Chocolate Shoppe, Shellharbour Village by Vanessa Pike-Russell (CC by nc nd)
Oh! enough with this attempt to motivate it. I need to go buy some chocolate.