Chocolate - Just Chocolate
This lens is dedicated to chocolate. Just Chocolate.
Wether you just enjoy an occasional chocolate bar or you are a true chocoholic, there is something here for you!
While chocolate has been around for thousands of years in mesoamerica, it wasn't until Christopher Columbus brought some of the curious cacao beans back to Spain that it was introduced to Europe.
At first it was consumed as a beverage, xocoatl, used primarily for "medicinal" purposes. It didn't take long for the Europeans to add sugar and substitute vanilla for the chili found in the xocatl, and the chocolate we know and love today was born!
The first commercial shipment of cacao (chocolate) to Europe occured in 1585 and the demand quickly outpaced the supply and fueled colonization throughout Central and South America and equitiorial Africa.
While chocolate has been around for thousands of years in mesoamerica, it wasn't until Christopher Columbus brought some of the curious cacao beans back to Spain that it was introduced to Europe.
At first it was consumed as a beverage, xocoatl, used primarily for "medicinal" purposes. It didn't take long for the Europeans to add sugar and substitute vanilla for the chili found in the xocatl, and the chocolate we know and love today was born!
The first commercial shipment of cacao (chocolate) to Europe occured in 1585 and the demand quickly outpaced the supply and fueled colonization throughout Central and South America and equitiorial Africa.
More than a food, less than a drug
Chocolate has been described as more than a food, less than a drug. At least according to a Cornell University website. While I've chosen to not get into a lot of detail about the history and making of chocolate in this lens, I have provided several links if you are interested in knowing more about the history and process of chocolate.This lens is dedicated, instead; just to the enjoyment of chocolate. A whimsical look beyond the development and into the way chocolate can be found in our lives today.
Just Chocolate - What is your favorite Chocolate variety?
Chocolate comes in an almost endless variety. From chocolate milk and hot chocolate to hard, heat resistant military chocolate. Below you will find some of my favorites and some from other readers. If you know of something that is not on the list, please share it with us! Chocolate lovers everywhere want to know!
Mmmm! - Pretty pictures of chocolate!
(Thanks Flickr!)
CUPCAAAAAAAAKES!!!
The spoon was too bi...
vegan chocolate chi...
Curbside Chocolate C...
OUR 4000th image @ F...
Part of the Dinner!...
Part of the Dinner!...
Part of the Dinner!...
Part of the Dinner!...
Pasta a la Me! Dinne...
Hershey Bar
Part of the Dinner!...
automatically generated by Flickr
Chocolate Lovers Survey
Please take a second to participate in this Chocolate Lovers Survey.
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Mmmm! Chocolate goodies!
Of course our favorite use of chocolate is eating it, but why not share your love of chocolate with the rest of the world?
Great Stuff on Amazon
Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb Signature Dark Chocolates Assortment
Amazon Price: $36.00 (as of 12/09/2009) 
Leonidas Belgian Chocolates: 1 lb Signature General Assortment
Amazon Price: $36.00 (as of 12/09/2009)
Chocolate Bar Variety Pack - 30 ct
Amazon Price: $26.13 (as of 12/09/2009)
Serendipity 3 Frrrozen Hot Chocolate Mix Canister
Amazon Price: $15.19 (as of 12/09/2009)
Grand Ghirardelli Chocolate Gift Basket
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 12/09/2009)
Chocolate Links and Acknowledgements
- Wikipedia Chocolate Article
- Chocolate comprises a number of raw and processed foods that are produced from the seed of the tropical cacao tree. Native to lowland, tropical South America, cacao has been cultivated for at least three millennia in Central America and Mexico, with its earliest documented use around 1100 BC. The majority of the Mesoamerican peoples made chocolate beverages, including the Maya and Aztecs, who made it into a beverage known as xocol%u0101tl, a Nahuatl word meaning "bitter water". The seeds of the cacao tree have an intense bitter taste, and must be fermented to develop the flavor.
- CHOCOLATE: Food of the Gods, Cornell University
- Chocolate has been described as being more than a food, less than a drug. This description points to the singular position this wildly popular confection plays in our lives. Popular to the tune of $74 billion annually, chocolate begins as a tiny blossom on a small tropical tree. Only three out of a thousand of these will produce the cacao pods that after a labor intensive and lengthy journey, with several chemically and technically complex steps along the way, will end up in your hand as a candy bar.
- Chocolate: The Exhibition
- Chocolate and its national tour were developed by The Field Museum, Chicago
- Chocolate: The Exhibition Tour Dates
- After closing at The Field Museum, Chocolate has embarked on a nationwide tour, bringing the scientific and cultural story of this luscious treat to 10 communities throughout the United States.
- Chocolate.com
- Chocolate.com is the ultimate Chocolate Lover's source page! This is a wonderful site for the true chocaholic!
Do you like Chocolate?
What's not to like?
Thanks for stopping by. If you have enjoyed this lens, please leave a quick note so we know who we are sharing our love of chocolate with!
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- Rajays Rajays Jun 20, 2009 @ 3:54 pm
- Can't imagine life without it.
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- KiminPeru KiminPeru Jun 15, 2009 @ 5:25 pm
- A man after my own heart! Yummmmmmmmm...
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