Christopher Columbus and Chocolate
Columbus Day is a controversial holiday to many. Do you know his link to chocolate?
Columbus married into a sugar family and brought sugar to the Americas on his second trip. He was the first European to see cacao (on his third trip to the Americas). Before that, cacao was enjoyed as a savory and not sweet drink.
He was traveling with his illegitimate son when he discovered cacao and they thought it was strange that the natives were so careful and quick to pick up any spilled beans. They didn't realize what it was or that the beans were what they used for currency. Every wonder where the express "money doesn't grow on trees" comes from? When cacao was currency, money did grow on trees. In fact counterfeit cacao has also been discovered when the outside husk was filled with clay to resemble the mighty cacao bean.
We search for the very best fine flavored cacao beans around the world to make the best tasting chocolate. We've even sourced beans of the coast of Honduras near where those first beans were discovered. Celebrate the native people with our direct trade chocolate. History tastes delicious!
