Chocolate
DID YOU KNOW??? Hot Chocolate: Native Americans
For thousands of years, native civilizations in Mesoamerica enjoyed drinks made from cacao beans. A popular hot beverage introduced by the Maya was called "chocolatl". The hot cacao-based drinks were introduced to the Spanish. Adding cinnamon, sugar, and grated Mexican or bitter chocolate to "atole", a common corn-based drink makes it "champurrado" or "full-bodied" hot chocolate. Even More Interesting: The first recorded “Death by Chocolate” case occurred in the 17th Century in Chiapas, Mexico. Upper class Spaniards were so addicted to chocolate that they refused to adhere to a church dictated chocolate ban that forbade them from eating or drinking any food during the church services. As a result, the people of the town refused not only listen to the ban but chose to attend worship services in convents instead. The Bishop who passed the law was later found dead due to poison http://blog.lindtusa.com/10-interesting-chocolate-facts/
For thousands of years, native civilizations in Mesoamerica enjoyed drinks made from cacao beans. A popular hot beverage introduced by the Maya was called "chocolatl". The hot cacao-based drinks were introduced to the Spanish. Adding cinnamon, sugar, and grated Mexican or bitter chocolate to "atole", a common corn-based drink makes it "champurrado" or "full-bodied" hot chocolate. Even More Interesting: The first recorded “Death by Chocolate” case occurred in the 17th Century in Chiapas, Mexico. Upper class Spaniards were so addicted to chocolate that they refused to adhere to a church dictated chocolate ban that forbade them from eating or drinking any food during the church services. As a result, the people of the town refused not only listen to the ban but chose to attend worship services in convents instead. The Bishop who passed the law was later found dead due to poison http://blog.lindtusa.com/10-interesting-chocolate-facts/
Star Anise
Did You Know??? Star Anise: China, Persia and in Northern India
Star Anise Seeds: The seeds are a good source of many essential B-complex vitamins such as pyridoxine, niacin, riboflavin, and thaimin. These vitamins helps in increasing GABA neuro-chemical levels in brain. The spicy seeds are also rich in minerals like calcium, iron, copper, potassium, manganese, zinc and magnesium. The Spice also contains Anti-Oxidant vitamins like Vitamin C and Vitamin A.
Black Beans
Did You Know??? Black Beans: Cuba
Black Beans were brought to Cuba from the Spaniards. Another interesting fact: Moros y Cristianos or Moors and Christians is a mix of black beans and white rice. Black beans represent the dark-skinned Moors and the white rice represents the lighter-skinned Christians. The dish is said to have originated during the Moors’ invasion of Spain and was later on brought to Cuba. That dish is also said to bring good luck when eaten on New Year’s Day http://tropicalfoodies.com/2011/04/24/moros-y-cristianos-cultural-mix-and-history-lesson/
Corn
DID YOU KNOW??? Corn: Mexico
Corn was created by the ancients in Mexico between 4000 to 6000 years ago from a grass like plant called Teosinte. To this day, teosinte still grows wild in remote areas of Mexico (around mountainous areas). Another known fact about corn: because of cross breeding corn, is completely human dependent, and no longer grows in the wild. New evidence has been found for the earliest domestication corn in Mexico about 8,700 years ago (6,700 BC). Domesticated maize (corn) had reached Panama by 5,600 BC and northern South America by 4,000 BC. Corn is used in more than 3,000 grocery products in the United States. Corn is also used in the production of alcohol, and distilled spirits, corn syrup, sugar, cornstarch, synthetic fibers such as nylon, certain plastics, in the manufacture of wood resin, lubricating oils and synthetic rubber, as an abrasive, corn cob pipes, corn oil, margarine, saccharin, paints, soaps, linoleum and gasohol. http://www.foodreference.com/html/fcorn.html
Corn was created by the ancients in Mexico between 4000 to 6000 years ago from a grass like plant called Teosinte. To this day, teosinte still grows wild in remote areas of Mexico (around mountainous areas). Another known fact about corn: because of cross breeding corn, is completely human dependent, and no longer grows in the wild. New evidence has been found for the earliest domestication corn in Mexico about 8,700 years ago (6,700 BC). Domesticated maize (corn) had reached Panama by 5,600 BC and northern South America by 4,000 BC. Corn is used in more than 3,000 grocery products in the United States. Corn is also used in the production of alcohol, and distilled spirits, corn syrup, sugar, cornstarch, synthetic fibers such as nylon, certain plastics, in the manufacture of wood resin, lubricating oils and synthetic rubber, as an abrasive, corn cob pipes, corn oil, margarine, saccharin, paints, soaps, linoleum and gasohol. http://www.foodreference.com/html/fcorn.html
Margarine
Did You Know??? Margarine: France
Margarine was created in France around 1870 by Tyrant Napoleon Bonaparte who was a French military general during the latter stages of the French Revolution.
Avocado
What body part did the ancients name the avocado after???
The ancient Aztecs referred to avocado as "testicle trees."
Coconut Water
The Fact: Coconut water can be used (in emergencies) as a substitute for blood plasma.
The reason for this is that coconut water (the water found in coconuts – not to be confused with coconut milk, which comes from the flesh of the coconut) is sterile and has an ideal pH level. Coconut water is liquid endosperm – it surrounds the embryo and provides nutrition.