History and culture of chocolate | Diseases and conditions.

If you feel curious about the origins of pleasant chocolate, learn a little more about its history, its culture and its nutritive value.
The history of chocolate goes back several cultures back. We have knowledge, it all started on July 30, 1502, when Christopher Columbus was found opposite the island of Guanajo, in the vicinity of Central America. A stunning kayak with an Aztec Chief on board approached them; offering a small square of four ships weapons, luxurious fabrics and a few striking almonds. Before the curiosity of Colon and yours, the Aztec explained to them that these constituted the country's currency, in addition, they used them to make a beverage very appreciated by indigenous
Cristóbal Colón and his crew departed for Europe, not realizing that what they had in their hands were "cocoa beans", out of which came the chocolate.
Seventeen years later Hernán Cortés embarked on the conquest of Mexico. What was his surprise when he was just landed to begin combat and surprised them with a spectacular reception. Believing that Hernán Cortés was the reincarnation of Quetzacoatl (a bondadodso God that left the country announcing its return someday), the Emperor Moctezuma covered them riches; among others, he stressed the actual planting of cocoa, whose beans were also used as coins.

Cultivation of chocolate

The cultivation of the chocolate could be summarized in the following stages:
  • Treatment of beans.
  • Storage.
  • Cleaning.
  • Roasting or toasting a delicate and important process.
  • Crushing.
  • Mixed.
  • Grinding.
In the last stage, you get a paste, which will follow two paths: well will be used to produce cocoa powder (which is intended for the manufacture of chocolate drinks, ice cream, desserts and pastries), either chocolate (such as chocolate, tablets, etc).

Nutritive value of chocolate

Chocolate contains nutrients very beneficial for the body, and is associated with feeling of wellbeing and mood.
It contains a high energy power: cocoa brings almost 300 calories per 100 grams and chocolate, depending on its composition, provides between 450 and 600 calories. It is a food rich in fats, carbohydrate carbon and protein, vitamins A, E, B1, B6; and minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron and magnesium. In addition, add to chocolate milk, the intake of calcium is increased significantly.
Being in essence of vegetable origin, which is the body fat of the chocolate has a low rate of cholesterol. Therefore, it is an excellent food for those people whose work involves physical wear and for athletes.
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