"Chocolat ", the comedy premiered in 2000 based on the novel by Joanne Harris, was very clear when he said that each person has a different chocolate match. Chocolate lovers from all over the world would agree with this. Love and passion for chocolates is relative. One's interest in a chocolate may vary from someone else's. Seeing the love of chocolates depends on the taste of a person and only your taste!
Although the true measure of a chocolate lover is that they eat something that is chocolatey, there are more than a hundred percent likely to have a preferred brand or type. So, with all the chocolates in the world and the countries that claim to be the best at producing them, who is wearing the hat?
where it started
The history of chocolate goes back to the times of the Aztecs when they discovered that the pearls inside the pods of the cocoa tree can be crushed and processed to produce a dark and bitter liquid that was mixed with the spices. The resulting frothy mixture supposedly gave power to its gods and leaders. Even then, they knew that the cocoa tree was of some substance that they could use in the future. If only they could find better means to process xocolat, the word they used to call drink.
Only the Aztec leaders were allowed to drink and, as the beans were so revered, it became a coin. When the Spanish conquistadors returned to Spain, they tried to present the beans to the Majesties. Unfortunately, they couldn't find much use for them yet. But after some important tests and mistakes, they realized that when mixed with spices like cinnamon, nutmeg and a little sugar, the sweet result is even more tempting. Thereafter, it grew in popularity and, for a time, became the best kept secret of Spain. It was about a hundred years before the rest of Europe discovered the secret and, when it did, it spread like a forest fire among the nobles, because they are the only ones who can afford the expensive grains. Soon, European countries began their own ways of improving chocolate production.
A triple treatment
The battle to find the perfect chocolate formula has been filtered in European countries. Spain, surprisingly, stepped back and observed while France, Belgium and Switzerland took turns making chocolate history. Even the Americas joined the clamor after the Industrial revolution and the consecutive wars. However, the fact is that chocolate lovers know that France, Belgium and Switzerland are the creators of the best chocolates in the world.
The French are known for their liberal lives and art lovers, their sense of fashion, their culinary prowess and a different way of life. French chocolates, however, are surprisingly not known to be one of their experts. French snacks are often adorned with edible ornaments, hand-painted and painstakingly carved, almost like a work of art and what is good is that it is as delicious as it seems. Dark chocolates have a subtle taste and are not as sweet or bitter as any other type. The taste just stays in the mouth.
When it comes to developing what we now know as mass-produced chocolates, the Swiss take the seats in the front row. Chocolate was introduced in Switzerland when the mayor of Zurich, Heinrich Escher, imported cocoa beans and consumed it at banquets. It was forbidden thereafter because of its so-called aphrodisiac benefits. But no one can prevent the Swiss from becoming the chocolate makers as we recognize them today. So, what's your vote?
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