| | |  Entertainment | Restaurants & Dining 
Chocolate: A Truly Historic Treasure
 Kathleen Harris - PVNN
December 17, 2010
| | Looking for the perfect holiday gift? Stop by Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates at Rudolfo Gomez #118 on the south side of Puerto Vallarta. | |
According to ancient Mayan mythology the cacao tree was hidden in a sacred mountain and brought to the earth's surface by divine intervention. Used in religious ceremonies and as currency, the seeds of the cacao tree were revered in early Mesoamerican society. In his Species Plantarum (1753) Linnaeus acknowledged the divine origin of cacao with the botanical designation Theobroma Cacao, which translates as "Food of the Gods."
The word 'chocolate' is derived from the Nahuatl word "xocolatl" meaning bitter water. The Mayans ground cacao seeds, which have an intensely bitter taste, and mixed them with water to create the beverage xocolatl, the drinking of which was reserved for royalty and religious figures.
When Cortes arrived in Mexico in 1521, he witnessed the Emperor Montezuma being offered fifty golden bowls filled with xocolatl. Immediately perceiving the importance of the plant, he brought cacao back to Spain and introduced it to the Spanish royal court. However, because of the bitter flavor, it was not well received, and so the Spaniards further developed the beverage with the addition of sugar and cinnamon.
This recipe was kept secret until the royal marriage of Maria Therese of Spain to Louis XIV of France in 1660, when the bride brought a supply of cacao to the wedding, thus introducing it to France. Chocolate was believed to cure many ills and inflame passions, and indeed, we now know, not only is chocolate filled with healthy anti-oxidants, it is one of the preferred romantic gifts.
The history of giving chocolate treasures at Christmas is long and global, from chocolate coins in stockings to chocolate santas and ribbon-wrapped boxes of truffles. In Mexico hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon is traditionally served during the holidays with Rosca de Reyes, a ring-shaped cake decorated with sugar and dried fruit.
 Here in Puerto Vallarta, Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates blends European artistry with Mesoamerican mythology to create their decadent selection of hand-crafted chocolates. Holiday treats include santas, chocolate sleighs filled with truffles, and gift baskets, pre-made or customized, filled with an assortment of chocolates, bars and confections. While shopping, enjoy a cup of Xocodiva's sublimely rich version of hot chocolate in the European style, dark, thick and bold in flavor, and topped with whipped cream.
This holiday season visit Xocodiva Artisan Chocolates, the place to go for gifts designed to enchant those on your Christmas list. Open daily from 10 am to 10 pm at Rudolfo Gomez #118 in the Zona Romantica, across from the Hotel San Marino. On Saturdays, drop by their booth at the Old Town Farmers' Market, 10 am to 2 pm, Calle Pulpito #127, across from Coco's Kitchen on the south side of Puerto Vallarta. |
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