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The History of Chocolate in Mexico

by on Mar.01, 2011, under Mexico

Chocolate comes from fermented, roasted and ground beans of the cacao tree. The first people known to have discovered the secrets of the cacao bean are the Mayans. They roasted and ground up the beans, mixed them with water, chili peppers, and cornmeal which produced a spicy chocolate drink. Another variation included the vanilla bean and achiote (a fruit bearing flower crushed into a powder). The word ‘chocolate’ is from the ancient Aztec language Nahuatl meaning ‘bitter water’.

The Aztec and Mayan nations so valued the cacao bean that they often used it as a form of currency. Cities that were conquered were often required to pay tribute to the new ruling entity with cacao beans. Mayan society saw every citizen enjoy drinking chocolate at least once in their lives, but it was mainly reserved for royalty. However the Aztecs had a broader scope of drinking chocolate tradition. Rulers, priests, heroic soldiers and prominent merchants often drank the sacred beverage. It was also very common for religious leaders to present cacao seeds as offerings to the gods.

When Christopher Columbus landed in Mexico he found the natives drinking the bitter drink and was encouraged try it. Of course to a foreign palate it was awful, yet witnessing how much the native peoples revered it, he brought some cacao beans back to Spain with him. Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain were not overly impressed, but the Spanish friars definitely saw the potential. They recognized that the problem was in the bitterness. Of course sugarcane was not yet a crop in the Mesoamerica region, so the when the friars brought the cocoa back to Spain they began adding small amounts of sugar. By the time the Caribbean area was colonized, local Spaniards were as enthusiastic about the cacao bean as the indigenous peoples were.

The first recorded export of cacao to Europe was in 1585, almost 100 years after it was first discovered by the Spanish. Chocolate was still served as a beverage, but with cream and sugar. Society ladies held drinking chocolate parties, and even had special china cups made to hold the beverage. The first chocolate house opened in London in 1657 and was considered a thoroughly unnecessary luxury. To counter the frivolity of the drink, women of means began to claim that drinking chocolate aided in stomach problems and sinus congestion. In 1689 a noted doctor was traveling in Jamaica when he experienced the cacao bean. He roasted, ground and mixed it as instructed by local residents and then added milk. He marketed it as a medical aid for various ailments.

The production of chocolate remained much the same until the Industrial Revolution. Then the advent of cocoa butter helped to created hard chocolate. The machinery which made this possible began popping up all over the world, and in turn people began experimenting with chocolate in a multitude of new ways. The recipe for milk chocolate that the doctor had concocted in Jamaica became so widely profitable that it was finally sold to the Cadbury Brothers in 1831. The brothers gave up their grocery business and focused on the production of chocolate. Through experimentation with various alkali’s to remove the bitterness from the chocolate, the Cadbury brothers were able to produce the world’s first chocolate bar meant for eating in 1849.

Mexico has a solid claim to the origin of the cacao bean, but it was not until cream and sugar were introduced that the palate of the Europeans began to see chocolate for what it was. When you visit Mexico, take a look around for some good old-fashioned chocolate. Perhaps even try an old Mexican beverage called Champurrado. It is a warm and thick drink made with hominy flour, piloncillo, milk, chocolate and vanilla bean. The Champurrado is traditionally served alongside churros as a simple breakfast, but is also popular at festivities like Day of the Dead.

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Mexico’s Day of the Dead

by on Mar.01, 2011, under Mexico

The Day of the Dead is celebrated on November 2nd each year by Mexicans and those of Mexican descent living in other areas of the world. It is often thought to be a similar holiday to Halloween because of their close proximity on the calendar, however that is not the case. The Day of the Dead is a celebration of friends and family who have passed on.

Mexico’s history is heavily influenced by the Mayans, the Aztecs and the Spanish conquerors. Therefore their religious beliefs and practices can often incorporate elements of all three cultures. For example the Catholic church celebrates All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls Day on November 2nd. On the Aztec calendar the Day of the Dead fell on the ninth month, which is about the beginning of August in the modern calendar. The festivities went on for a month and surrounded a god called the Lady of the Dead, which is now referred to as Catrina.

The Day of the Dead celebrations last for three days. October 31st marks the emergence of the evil spirits and Mexican people often don skeletal masks to scare the spirits away. Fireworks are lit and guns are shot in the air, all in an effort scary evil spirits away so that the souls of friends and family members will come and visit during the next two days. November 1st is reserved for remembering and celebrating the lives of infants and children who have died. Throughout the year families will collect toys, clothes and favorite foods for the child. On November 1st the family will gather at the grave, work together to clean the site and decorate it with all the things they have accumulated. The rest of the day will be spent remembering and telling stories of the deceased. Pillows and blankets may be laid out for the spirit to rest on after a long journey to visit the family. November 2nd is reserved for celebrating adults who have passed away. Much the same activities occur as for deceased children. In some regions families will stay at the grave site all night or have picnics there.

It is also common for altars or small shrines to be built in the home in honor of a loved one who has passed away. An element of Catholicism enters here, as the altars will be bear a cross, a statue of the Virgin Mary, lots of candles and offerings. Offerings, or ofrendas, can include oranges or Mexican marigolds. Time is spent around the altar, in much the same was as attending the grave site. Some family members will even dress up as the deceased. Public schools and government offices build altars with ofrendas, illustrating just how important this holiday is in Mexican heritage.

A stylized skull is the most prominent symbol of the holiday. In western culture the skull is viewed as a symbol of death and evil things, while in Mexican culture it represents the celebration of the dead. Celebrants will often wear masks called calacas (a colloquial term for skull), and make sugar treats or chocolates in the shape of a skull. The treats are offered at the altars or grave sites, and given as gifts to family members. Other foods made in celebration of the Day of the Dead are pan de muerto, a sweet egg bread decorated with a white frosting. The bread is shaped in rounds to look like skulls, with the frosting looking like white bones. Skeletal dolls wearing the latest fashions are a common offering to the dead as they represent Catrina, the Lady of the Dead. In fact, Catrina dolls are now a common item for visitors to Mexico to pick up as a souvenir.

Visiting Mexico during Day of the Dead celebrations is a great way to have a genuine look into the Mexican culture. The holiday goes beyond the stereotypical sombreros and sandy beaches. It shows the Mexican people’s deep spirituality and the value they hold in family. Mexican resorts are lovely and relaxing, but step out of the resort and get a taste for the people. No doubt it will expand your experience and make you want to come back again and again.

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What Do You Know About Cozumel?

by on Mar.01, 2011, under Mexico

Unless you are a world traveler or are from Mexico, you probably know very little about Cozumel. It is a beautiful little island off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. It is in the Caribbean Sea and just opposite Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Cozumel is about 48 kilometers long and 16 kilometers wide, making it Mexico’s largest Atlantic island.

There are approximately seventy thousand permanent residents of Cozumel and most of them reside in the town of San Miguel de Cozumel, which is situated on the mainland side of the island. The island itself is low and flat, based on limestone. The highest point on the island is only 49 feet above sea level, making the area very susceptible to tropical cyclone damage.

The history of Cozumel is much the same as the rest of Mexico, other than the fact that is was first deemed sacred to the Mayan Moon Goddess. Temples were erected on the island and became a place of pilgrimage for women who wanted to have children. Unfortunately, many of the temples were destroyed by Hernan Cortes, and later by the Americans during World War II. After the decimation of the Mayan people by smallpox, the island was mostly deserted. Pirates used it as a hideout occasionally, but it was not until the Caste War of Yucatan in 1858 that Cozumel was settled again. Refugees traveled there as a means of escaping the violence on the mainland.

Cozumel gained its notoriety among marine biologists and divers when Jacques Cousteau discovered the coral reefs surrounding the area. The Palancar Reef is still a popular place to see rare and beautiful tropical marine life. During the 1990′s, a group of cave explorers discovered one of the world’s largest underwater caves in Cozumel. It is accessed via a cenote, a deep water sinkhole that is formed by water filtrating through the limestone over thousands of years. The ecosystem created in cenotes is quite unique and beautiful. Divers from around the globe go to Cozumel to experience the cenotes but it can be dangerous. The most infamous death was that of singer-songwriter Kirsty MacColl in 2000. Now, only qualified cave divers with certification are permitted to dive here.

Industry on Cozumel is limited to diving tourism and charter fishing. While the island is made from limestone, the only quarries exist on the mainland. Over the last 60 years, the island has embraced its increasing tourism and constructed many hotels and over 90 restaurants. Water activities such as para-sailing, kite surfing, swimming, riding the tourist submarine and visiting one of the two dolphin-ariums are very popular with visitors. Cruise ships do make Cozumel one of their scheduled shops, therefore there are several shops situated around the cruise ship docks. There are three brothels on the island, two of which cater to tourists.

The Festival of El Cedral is held in the small town of El Cedral, located on the southern portion of the island. Casimiro Cardenas was part of a group of refugees who escaped attack by fleeing to Cozumel and clutching a small cross during his journey. In an effort to celebrate the religious power of the crucifix, he vowed to to start an annual festival wherever he finally settled. Today, the Festival of El Cedral marks the survival of those who escaped the War of the Castes in 1858 and occurs at the end of April every year. There are community fairs, feasts, rodeos, Spanish style bullfights and lots of music. The festival goes on for about five days.

Cozumel is so much more than a tourist destination. There is a rich and turbulent history entrenched on the island. The Mayans worshiped and died here. The Spanish explored and conquered the island. Pirates hid here and now we explore its history and beauty again. At least, we now have the knowledge to appreciate what we find and work towards its preservation.

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