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Chocolate is known all over the world and people love it for its unique aroma and taste. Although the Maya already drank cocoa seed infusions, it gained popularity in Europe only in the second half of the XNUMXth century. It is easy to get addicted to it, but by consuming it in reasonable amounts, we can benefit from its numerous pro-health properties.
Chocolate is loved by many. Its aroma and taste make it difficult to refuse to try even a small piece of it. Today we can buy chocolate in various forms, flavors and textures. It all depends on what we use it for. It turns out that chocolate is increasingly used not only for baking and confectionery. What should I know about this sweet drug?
The history of chocolate
Chocolate was already known to the Mayans who inhabited the area of today’s Mexico. They drank a very aromatic and bitter drink which they made from cocoa beans and added, for example, chilli. The drink was so popular that it also became an element of various rituals. This custom was taken over by the Aztecs, who added red pepper, vanilla and even flower petals to it. Cocoa beans were so valued that they became legal tender.
They were brought to Europe in the XNUMXth century by Ferdinand Cortez. Initially, the bitter taste of the chocolate drink was not popular. Adding sweet honey, for example, has changed this. Initially, chocolate was very expensive and was known only to the Spanish court. It began to gain popularity only in the mid-nineteenth century, when both cocoa beans and drinking chocolate went downhill.
No one will be surprised by the fact that the first bar of chocolate was produced in Switzerland for the army. Soon, powdered milk was added to the cocoa, creating milk chocolate. Italians, in turn, began to add nuts, raisins, etc. to the chocolate.
Where does the term chocolate come from?
The origin of the word chocolate is not fully known. Some say the term is derived from the word “xocolatl”, which literally means “bitter water”. The word is used in the Midwest region of Mexico. Other sources say that the word chocolate comes from the word “chokolahaa”, meaning “liquid” or “hot drink” in the Mayan language.
How is chocolate made?
Chocolate is made from cocoa beans. These trees bear fruit all year round and can be found in tropical subequatorial zones of South and Central America, as well as Africa. The main grain harvest takes place twice a year.
After harvesting, the ripe fruit should be opened to find the seeds in the sweet flesh. Then the beans are fermented to give them the right character, color and flavor. From that moment on, a unique chocolate aroma begins to form. The beans ferment for about 7 days. It should be remembered that they should be mixed in a certain way every 2-3 days. Then the cocoa beans are dried and packed in bags for purchase.
The actual production process, of course, starts with the manufacturer. There, the beans are selected and roasted to bring out the flavor and aroma. The cocoa shell is removed from the beans, and cocoa liquor is formed from the shredded interior. Fat is pressed from the mass, and cocoa is made from the dry mass. Chocolate is made after combining cocoa liquor, cocoa butter and cocoa.
What are the properties of chocolate?
Chocolate is not only delicious, but also very healthy. With common sense, there is no need to give it up. Its properties are:
- chocolate supports weight loss – all thanks to cicatechin. It is an ingredient that improves metabolism and helps burn calories. However, remember to choose dark chocolate with a content of min.70% cocoa mass and eat a maximum of 2 cubes a day.
- chocolate reduces the risk of cancer – cocoa contained in chocolate is the best natural antioxidant – a compound that protects cells against the development of cancerous changes and slows down the aging process.
- chocolate protects against decay – this is another merit of cocoa. Cocoa bean extract takes better care of our teeth than fluoride. However, we will take care of our teeth with dark chocolate that does not contain sugar.
- chocolate prevents anemia – chocolate is a source of iron and vitamins B12, as well as other vitamins from group B, A and E.
Chocolate is the source of many essential nutrients. This is especially true of dark chocolate. We find in it carbohydrates, magnesium, iron, niacin, theobromine, phenylethylamine and flavonoids. Milk and white chocolate, due to the addition of condensed milk, also contains protein and calcium.
How many calories are in a chocolate bar?
The amount of calories in chocolate depends largely on its type and various additives, which enhance its taste and aroma. It has been assumed that on average a 100 g chocolate bar contains approx. 530-580 kcal. Depending on its type, 100 grams of chocolate contain on average:
- dark chocolate – 531 kcal
- milk chocolate stuffed with nuts – 539 kcal
- dark / dark chocolate – 578 kcal
- a glass of hot chocolate – 150 kcal.
White chocolate is the most caloric. It is not made from cocoa liquor, which gives chocolate its wonderful brown color. As a result, its production uses a greater amount of cocoa butter, which determines the increased amount of calories.
Side effects of consuming chocolate
Unfortunately, chocolate also has its drawbacks. It can trigger a migraine and affect the well-being of women with PMS. After eating chocolate, we may experience heartburn and reflux. It can cause constipation, especially in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. People with kidney and bladder diseases should also give up it, due to the salts of oxalic acid. The biggest disadvantage, however, is its calorific value, which should be taken care of by people prone to overweight.