Mexico: The Aztec Origins of Chocolate

About this episode

This episode explores the Aztec origins of chocolate, its cultural significance, and the historical context of cacao as a currency and sacred drink.

Why did the Aztecs drink their currency — and what does it mean that the most global food in the world began as a bitter, frothy, sacred drink consumed by warriors and kings in the rainforests of ancient Mesoamerica? Who was Quetzalcoatl, the god who stole cacao from paradise and gave it to humanity — and why does his promised return from the east make the moment Montezuma handed Hernán Cortés a golden cup of xocolatl one of the most extraordinary in history? Join John and Patrick as they tell the four-thousand-year story of cacao and the bitter, spiced drink that was simultaneously a currency, a sacrament, and the food of the gods... ---------- In Sponsorship with Cornell University: Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business ----------- Join the History of Fresh Produce Club for ad-free listening, bonus episodes, book discounts and access to an exclusive chatroom community. Support us! Share this episode with your friends Give a 5-star rating Write a review ----------- Subscribe to our biweekly newsletter here for extra stories related to recent episodes, book recommendations, a sneak peek of upcoming episodes and more. ----------- Instagram, TikTok, Threads…

People in this episode

Hosts: John, Patrick

Topics covered

• Aztec history
• chocolate origins
• cacao
• Mesoamerican culture
• currency
• sacred drinks

Keywords

• chocolate
• Aztecs
• cacao
• Mesoamerica
• currency
• sacred drink
• Quetzalcoatl
• Montezuma
• Hernán Cortés

Sponsors

Cornell University, Dyson Cornell SC Johnson College of Business

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Mesoamerica

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