National Chocolate Day

Chocolate (Theobroma cacao) holds a rich and fascinating history deeply rooted in pre-Columbian Central America. A Nahuatl document from 1545 reveals that cacao was far more than just a simple food source; it functioned as a vital form of currency among the Aztecs and neighboring peoples. Within this economic system, a turkey was valued at 200 cacao seeds, a tamale at a single seed, and a porter’s daily wage amounted to 100 cacao seeds, underscoring cacao’s immense importance in both the economy and everyday life of these ancient civilizations.

Recent archaeological research has further extended the known geographical reach of cacao well beyond Central America. Chemical analysis of residue found on painted potsherds excavated from Chaco Canyon, located in present-day New Mexico, identified the presence of theobromine—a key chemical uniquely associated with cacao beans and chocolate products. This groundbreaking discovery supports the idea that chocolate was actively traded along extensive pre-Columbian trade routes stretching from Mexico into parts of the American Southwest. These findings highlight cacao’s significant and multifaceted role in interregional commerce and cultural exchange long before European contact in the Americas.