IXCACAO: MAYAN GODDESS OF CHOCOLATE The story of the Goddess of Chocolate is a long and complicated one. She was worshipped as a fertility goddess, with different names and different roles in the ancient cultures of Mesoamerica.

The Maya considered writing to be a sacred gift from the gods. Most ancient Maya could not read, because the knowledge of reading and writing was jealously guarded by a small elite class, who believed that they alone could interact directly with the gods and mediate between the gods and the common people.

Scholarly consensus is that the Maya developed the only complete writing system in Mesoamerica. Only four Maya codices are known to have survived the conquistadors.

This began in 1981 when 15-year-old budding Mayanist David Stuart (left, with Linda Schele) discovered that individual Maya words could be written in multiple ways, using different symbols for the same sounds, as in “faze” and “phase.” Eric Thompson’s theory had been that the Maya wrote in rebus, in which symbols are …

The history of chocolate can be traced to the ancient Mayans, and even earlier to the ancient Olmecs of southern Mexico. The word chocolate may conjure up images of sweet candy bars and luscious truffles, but the chocolate of today is little like the chocolate of the past….

Ancient Egyptians were the first candy makers recorded by history. They mixed fruits, nuts and honey. In ancient India, candy makers used sugar cane. Chocolate is made from the seeds of the cacao, a tropical tree cultivated by the Mayans of Central America and the Aztecs of Mexico….

Ixcacao, Goddess of Chocolate, see my tears and come to my aid. The Goddess of Chocolate was also worshiped by other tribes in central and south America. The Aztecs associated Chocolate with Xochiquetzal, who is their Goddess of fertility, flowers and fruits.

Aztec use. Unlike the Maya of Yucatán, the Aztecs drank chocolate cold. It was consumed for a variety of purposes, as an aphrodisiac or as a treat for men after banquets, and it was also included in the rations of Aztec soldiers.

There is stronger evidence suggesting that eating chocolate may help prevent heart disease. Flavanols have been shown to lower blood pressure and make your heart, veins, and arteries work better. It’s important to remember that chocolate is still candy, and it has extra calories, sugar, and fat. Eat it sparingly….

The production of cocoa begins in the tropical regions around the Equator, where the hot and humid climate is well suited for growing cocoa trees. 70% of the world’s cocoa beans come from four West African countries: Ivory Coast, Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon.

The top four countries responsible for the production of chocolate are the United States, Germany, Switzerland, and Belgium. It is estimated that, while Western Europe accounts for approximately 35% of total world chocolate production, the U.S. accounts for an additional 30%….

Ladies and gentlemen, chocolate is indeed a vegetable according the Wiki. Some also argue that it is a fruit, however regardless of your stance, it is in fact good for you. Chocolate is a product of the cacao bean which grows in pod- like fruits on tropical cacao trees….

Belarus

Germany

Saudi Arabia

Spain

Celebrated as one of the world’s healthiest diets, the Mediterranean diet is rich in fruits, vegetables, wholegrains, legumes and olive oil. It also includes lots of fish and poultry and minimal amounts of red meat….

Charles Eugster

The 10 Unhealthiest Beverages–Ever

• The Worst Smoothie. Smoothie King Peanut Power Plus Grape (large, 40 fluid ounces)
• The Worst Frozen Fruit Drink. Krispy Kreme Lemon Sherbet Chiller (20 fluid ounces)
• The Worst Frozen Coffee Drink. Dairy Queen Caramel MooLatte (24 fluid ounces)
• The Worst Hot Chocolate.
• The Worst Soda.