The Story of Chocolate

Cacao beans used to be currency you could spend, not just a treat you could eat, and getting from there to a candy bar took centuries.

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Some of the topics covered in this episode

  • The ancient Aztec and Mayan reverence for cacao
  • How chocolate beans were used as currency
  • The journey of cacao from the Americas to Europe
  • The chemistry behind chocolate's sweetness and mood-enhancing properties
  • The transformation from bitter ceremonial drink to modern candy bar
  • Humanity's timeless connection to this beloved treat

Cacao beans used to be money you could spend, and somewhere between there and a candy bar, sleep should quietly catch up with you. Sweet dreams tonight, and may you wake up feeling calm and rested.