The name of the most important sweet in the world derives from the word chocolatl, from náhuatl, the Aztec language. It is probably related to the word xococ that means "bitter".
It is thought that cocoa was used for the first time in the territory of Mexico, which was occupied by Prehispanic cultures at that time. They used to consume it in a particular way, which was very diffrent from the manner we do it today. The indigenous people prepared a special type of drink based on fermentation of cocoa beans and their flesh. This beverage had a crucial ritual funtion and give them a lot of energy.
According to Maya mitology, after the creation of humanity from the pastry of corn, one of their main Gods, Kukulkan, gave Mayas cocoa. To honour the God of cocoa, Ek Chuah, Mayas organised a festival, during which the sacrifices of animals and cocoa beans were being made.
Later, the Aztec people also continued this tradition of elaborating this unusual sort of meal. Their legend says that God Quetzalcóatl himself, known as the Plumed Serpent, was the one who put in the hand of the ancient Aztecs the cocoa beans. However, the Aztecs preparated it in another way that let them obtain a kind of liquid with the foam. This beverage was drunk cold and with additional ingredients such as chili pepper, vanilla or cornflour, which improved the flavour or changed the consitency of the drink. As a result, they could enjoy a drink which was not only extremely energising but also quite bitter and piquant.
Nowadays, the most popular form of eating products containing cocoa is the bar of chocolate. We also know the liquid form of chocolate which is completely different than its original form because it's very sweet and hot!
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