Imagine a world without chocolate. Impossible! This delicious delicacy has conquered palates since time immemorial. But, did you know that it wasn't always called that?
Chocolate? Mmmmm! That magic word that transports us to a world of flavor, aroma and happiness. But did you know that it wasn't always called that? Join me on this delicious journey through the history of chocolate and discover how it was named in different languages.
A gift from the gods:
The history of chocolate begins thousands of years ago in Mesoamerica, where the Mayans and Aztecs cultivated cocoa,
a precious fruit that they considered a gift from the gods. They drank it in a thick, bitter drink called "xocolatl", which means "bitter water."
The meeting with Europe:
In the 16th century, Spanish conquistadors arrived in America and fell in love with xocolatl. They added sugar and spices, transforming it into a hot, sweet drink they called "chocolate." This new version conquered Europe and became a favorite of royalty and nobility.
A name that travels the world:
As chocolate spread around the world, its name also adapted to different languages. In English, it became "chocolate" - (Chocoleit), a derivation of the word "xocolatl." In French, it is called "chocolat", in Italian "cioccolato", in German "Schokolade" and in Portuguese "chocolate".
Beyond chocolate:
In some regions of the world, chocolate was given unique names that reflect their own history and culture. Some examples:
Japanese: "chokoreto" (an adaptation of English)
Chinese: "qīngkè lì" (meaning "sour candy")
Russian: "shokolad" (derived from Spanish)
Arabic: "shokoladah" (also derived from Spanish)
Hebrew: "shokolad" (taken from Russian)
Hindi: "chakलेट" (an adaptation from English)
Turkish: "çikolata" (from Italian)
Swahili: "chokoleti" (from English)
A universal language of flavor:
Today, chocolate is enjoyed all over the world and its name, in its different versions, has become a universal language of flavor and joy. No matter what we call it, one thing is certain: chocolate unites us all in a sweet passion.
Dare to try chocolates from different countries and discover how their flavor and texture merge with local history and culture!