Tag Archive: chocolate history

Chocolate and Romance: A Great Pairing

No one knows for sure how St. Valentines Day became synonymous with romantic love. There are a number of theories, but that is not really important.  Once the tradition got started, all kinds of things naturally presented themselves as part of the language of love...

Like chocolate, for instance.
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Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes

Back in 1909 Walter Baker & Co., Ltd. published a little book called Chocolate and Cocoa Recipes By Miss Parloa and Home Made Candy Recipes By Mrs. Janet McKenzie Hill.

The staff here at Chocolate University Online have created a special 100th anniversary edition of this book and released it in a PDF download format.
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Who Invented Chocolate?

In my opinion, everyone involved in the early evolution of cacao plant into an edible substance we call chocolate should receive a "get into heaven free" card regardless of their religious beliefs!

While there is no one particular person who invented chocolate, most experts believe the ancient Maya discovered the delicious secrets of chocolate between 250-900 A.D.

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Chocolate as a Cure For Everything

Before modern science began discovering the much talked about health benefits of chocolate, the Mayans (central America) and Aztecs (ancient Mexico) considered it a powerful remedy to many ailments.

Theobroma cacao, or the “chocolate tree,” has been used in folk medicine as an anticeptic, diurectic, and parasiticide.  It has been used to heal burns, cough, dry lips, fever, listlessness, malaria, nephrosis, rheumatism, snakebites, and small wounds.
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Having Fun with Antique Chocolate Molds

I love collecting things and I love all things chocolate.  It seemed natural to put the two passions together.  Now I enjoy collecting chocolate making tools and other items related to chocolate history and chocolate making.

Antique chocolate molds (or moulds) from the 19th- and early-20th-century are quite collectible.

Candy makers of yesteryear used coated-tin chocolate molds to create whimsical chocolate shapes.  You may have fond childhood memories of chocolate bunnies and Santas at holiday time.  These were the most abundantly made designs.  Tin and tin-coated metal chocolate molds can still be readily found these days.

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