What ancient money grows on trees?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
February 12, 2002
Send a special someone flowers today!—>Click here.
Series: | 1 | | 2 | 3 |
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Gourmet Chocolates—>Click here.
When Columbus made his fourth voyage to the New World, he captured a group of natives aboard a very large dugout canoe, confiscated their cargo, and forced them into serving as guides. Among other things, the canoe had on board seeds that looked similar to almonds. The natives were extremely careful with these seeds which confused Columbus and his crew.
What Columbus did not know was these seeds (cocoa beans) were literally the currency of Mesoamerica. Chocolatl for the most part, was enjoyed only by the wealthy. After all, they were eating or drinking their money. Legends claim chocolatl was served only in gold goblets.
A Spanish missionary, Jose de Acosta wrote in the late 1500s, "The Spaniards, both men and women, that are accustomed to the country, are very greedy of this Chocolaté. They say they make diverse sorts of it, some hot, some cold, and some temperate, and put therein much of that 'chili'; yea, they make paste thereof, which they say is good for the stomach and against the catarrh."
Of course the Spanish knew full well that the Aztecs considered chocolate an aphrodisiac. It is estimated chocolate contains 300 active compounds—theobromine, theophylline, phenylethylamine, serotonin, dopamine, salsolinol, and phenols to name a few.
Theobromine and theophylline act similar to caffeine stimulating the central nervous system. Theophylline is a bronchodilator, acting on the bronchial muscle to increase blood flow and stimulate respiration. Phenylethylamine is an antidepressant similar to amphetamines without the addictive effect. Serotonin, dopamine, and salsolinol promote a sense of well-being. The phenols are anti-oxidants and have the same benefits as red wine.
World production of cocoa beans in the past few years has averaged around 2.7 million tons per year. The U.S. is the largest importer and producer of chocolate, but the Swiss are the largest per capita consumers. An ancient Mesoamerican currency is still generating money today.
The University of Louisiana-Lafayette has more information about Theobroma cacao. To visit this site, click on the link:
http://www.ucs.louisiana.edu/~khh6430/cacao.html
Series: | 1 | | 2 | 3 |
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Who paid the highest price for chocolate? Plants that Changed History - July 31, 2001
Will the rainforests save chocolate? Renfield's Garden - February 13, 2002
What is the Aztec sweet herb? Weird Plants - December 4, 2003
What fine cloth of the Incas is still in demand? Weird Plants - March 28, 2002
How was rubber first used? Plants that Changed History - August 27, 2002
Christopher Columbus: Explorer of the New World
A&E/Biography®
Christopher Columbus wanted to find a new route to Asia, but became the first European to set foot on the New World. Evidence now proves that the Vikings were there long before him, but even in his own time later explorers usurped his glory! BIOGRAPHY® uses period accounts, rare art and artifacts and interviews with world-renowned historians to tell Columbus's often-reinterpreted story.
See how he convinced Ferdinand and Isabella to fund his journey and how he never gave up believing that he had reached Asia. Discover how his fortunes and reputation sank so quickly that by the time of his fourth voyage Spanish officials would not let him anchor in their waters.
Christopher Columbus: Explorer Of The New World DVD Click here.
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