BCF • I Am Chocolate! By Chef Barbie Flores

I Am Chocolate!
By Chef Barbie Flores
http://twitter.com/ChefBFlores
https://t.co/2V0PcE4c

So many stories and research have been done on the subject of me… Chocolate! Take a walk with me on the chocolate side if you will! We will read about my origins in ancient history, dating back to 300 AD when the Mayans named my cacao tree, “Cocahuaquchtl” and the ancient word for my fierce taste on their taste buds was called, “xocoatl”, which means “bitter water”. As common as it was for ancient kings to drink my chocolate water as a beverage, my beans were not common but were thought of as sacred. With all the natural health compounds in them alone, I can tell you that my cacao pods were worth their weight in gold!

History gives us ancient drawings on Aztec palace walls to remind us that I was quite the darling. They kept me as a symbolic beverage in their rituals and ceremonies. The Aztecs believed I gave wisdom and fertility. They were the first to cultivate me on plantations.
Through long journeys and trade by explorers, I eventually traveled to Europe. Soon after, I became something sweet when the English added fats and sugar to my original essence. John Cadbury put my name on the globe and soon I was sought after by thousands.

I have some amazing and evolved qualities now. I’ve become sort of a superstar in my own right and the mere mention of my name makes people smile. They’ve given me nicknames like “decadent” and “dessert” and I am often considered a reward for good behavior. I bring smiles to the weary, when a day is going badly and would go so far as to say that I am a remarkable gift! Perceived as a decadent pleasure, I am considered sexy! I laugh at this because I know my medicinal qualities are much more to talk about. Lately, experts find me very scientific! There is a very good chance that I may lower your blood pressure, when eaten in moderation. You can also count on me to help fight “free radicals” in your body as well as fatigue, due to anti-oxidants, natural flavanoids, and the Theobromine I contain. There have been studies, which indicate that I can tap into your mind and have some psychological affect on you as well. One might say there is “well being” magic in my beans!

From my perspective, I believe there are still new things we might learn. My story’s just getting started. To some, I am older than dirt. To others, I am fresh and gloriously brand new! If you look deep into my history, you will find that I am always re-inventing myself. I wish I could go back in time and show the natives growing me in fields across their land, just what I look like in the Belgian chocolate shops today. In ancient times, if anyone came near me, they were admonished by royal priests. Now, I am accessible, affordable, organically farmed, talked about in movies, and create a buzz at just the sight of me! Still responsible for people’s sustenance, but not like I was in ancient times, I’ve come along way from accompanying Africans on slave ships and being used in slave trade. Once mixed with red dye from the earth, so that Montezuma could drink me from a chalice during his rituals, I am now mixed with sugar and cream and called ganache.

I was given to Kings and Queens of the New World but they had no idea what to do with bitter me. I am now a candy bar all over the world! Once thought of as just a dessert, today, to some I am now part of the daily diet! Generations upon generations have celebrated me, even during the toughest of times and now children wish for me, sharing me generously on special occasions, while candy makers temper me hot and cold, making beautiful truffles, ganache, or praline!

I can think of nothing with more global influence than I. Nothing is more delicious! I simply never lose my appeal. And while I am making money for thousands, I remain that simple light in a person’s eyes when he or she sees me. For certain, I’ll continue to be researched, cultivated, produced, and enjoyed forever because I have a proven track record of being delightful. Yes, I am the light in your eyes and I am with you for the ages.
I am chocolate, baby!

Barbie Flores
Los Angeles, California




	I Am Chocolate! By Chef Barbie Flores http://twitter.com/ChefBFlores https://t.co/2V0PcE4c So many stories and research have been done on the subject of me… Chocolate! Take a walk with me on the chocolate side if you will! We will read about my origins in ancient history, dating back to 300 AD when the Mayans named my cacao tree, “Cocahuaquchtl” and the ancient word for my fierce taste on their taste buds was called, “xocoatl”, which means “bitter water”. As common as it was for ancient kings to drink my chocolate water as a beverage, my beans were not common but were thought of as sacred. With all the natural health compounds in them alone, I can tell you that my cacao pods were worth their weight in gold! History gives us ancient drawings on Aztec palace walls to remind us that I was quite the darling. They kept me as a symbolic beverage in their rituals and ceremonies. The Aztecs believed I gave wisdom and fertility. They were the first to cultivate me on plantations. Through long journeys and trade by explorers, I eventually traveled to Europe. Soon after, I became something sweet when the English added fats and sugar to my original essence. John Cadbury put my name on the globe and soon I was sought after by thousands. I have some amazing and evolved qualities now. I’ve become sort of a superstar in my own right and the mere mention of my name makes people smile. They’ve given me nicknames like “decadent” and “dessert” and I am often considered a reward for good behavior. I bring smiles to the weary, when a day is going badly and would go so far as to say that I am a remarkable gift! Perceived as a decadent pleasure, I am considered sexy! I laugh at this because I know my medicinal qualities are much more to talk about. Lately, experts find me very scientific! There is a very good chance that I may lower your blood pressure, when eaten in moderation. You can also count on me to help fight “free radicals” in your body as well as fatigue, due to anti-oxidants, natural flavanoids, and the Theobromine I contain. There have been studies, which indicate that I can tap into your mind and have some psychological affect on you as well. One might say there is “well being” magic in my beans! From my perspective, I believe there are still new things we might learn. My story’s just getting started. To some, I am older than dirt. To others, I am fresh and gloriously brand new! If you look deep into my history, you will find that I am always re-inventing myself. I wish I could go back in time and show the natives growing me in fields across their land, just what I look like in the Belgian chocolate shops today. In ancient times, if anyone came near me, they were admonished by royal priests. Now, I am accessible, affordable, organically farmed, talked about in movies, and create a buzz at just the sight of me! Still responsible for people’s sustenance, but not like I was in ancient times, I’ve come along way from accompanying Africans on slave ships and being used in slave trade. Once mixed with red dye from the earth, so that Montezuma could drink me from a chalice during his rituals, I am now mixed with sugar and cream and called ganache. I was given to Kings and Queens of the New World but they had no idea what to do with bitter me. I am now a candy bar all over the world! Once thought of as just a dessert, today, to some I am now part of the daily diet! Generations upon generations have celebrated me, even during the toughest of times and now children wish for me, sharing me generously on special occasions, while candy makers temper me hot and cold, making beautiful truffles, ganache, or praline! I can think of nothing with more global influence than I. Nothing is more delicious! I simply never lose my appeal. And while I am making money for thousands, I remain that simple light in a person’s eyes when he or she sees me. For certain, I’ll continue to be researched, cultivated, produced, and enjoyed forever because I have a proven track record of being delightful. Yes, I am the light in your eyes and I am with you for the ages. I am chocolate, baby! Barbie Flores Los Angeles, California
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