Humans have been drinking chocolate for a long time. The Mayans likely created the first chocolate beverage 2000 years ago. The Aztecs also included a cocoa beverage as an essential part of their culture by 1400 AD. When Europeans began exploring Central and South America, explorers brought chocolate and the beverage back with them to Europe from Mexico. In the early 1800s, Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. His son, Coenraad Johannes made those fats more soluble in water. Together their processes made cocoa powder possible.
There are health benefits to drinking hot chocolate. Cocoa contains significant amounts of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. Studies have shown the flavonoids in chocolate may have a positive effect on arterial health and memory. That's a great excuse for me to drink more of the stuff. I could benefit in both ways. I encourage each of you to enjoy a nice warm cup today to celebrate. In this snowy weather it's just the thing to make us feel warm and cozy. I also
I encourage you to make a card to go along with the theme. Here's mine And I'd love to see yours!!
I wonder if the chocolate in M & M’s works the same way! Lol. I will start drinking more hot coco for sure!
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