ANCIENT TIMES

Many people believe that the Aztecs first developed chocolate. However,
chocolate goes back much farther. The ancient Maya, who inhabited what
is now parts of southern Mexico and Central America, certainly knew cocoa
trees and consumed chocolate. In fact, the word "cacao" (later
changed into cocoa ) is Mayan: as early as 500 A.D
The chocolate of these Mesoamerican civilizations was consumed as a
bitter drink made of ground cacao beans mixed with a variety of local
ingredients, including chili. The Maya and Aztecs believed that the drink
was an aphrodisiac. Also, cocoa beans were seen as a source of strength and
wealth, so they were often used as a form of currency.

CHOCOLATE IN EUROPE

Cocoa beans were brought to Europe by Christopher Columbus. He himself thought that the drink was
too bitter, however, when he wrote to King Carlos I of Spain, he described chocolate in a positive
light: as a drink that builds up strength and fights tiredness.
He brought chocolate to Spain for the king to taste. However, the king
thought that it was too spicy and he didnt like it much.

In 1530s Cortez experimented with the spicy drink and replaced chilli
with sugar. He also added some new spices, cinnamon and vanilla, to
make it more delicious. This time the king fell in love with cocoa beans.
Unfortunately, chocolate was very expensive and few people could
afford it.

Chocolate came to England several decades later. In 1650s. rich

Englishmen drank chocolate drinks in newly opened coffee houses and
chocolate houses of London.

As cocoa beans became more popular and more available to people,

producers started experimenting with another recipes. The first
chocolate bar was made by Conrad van Houten (a chemist and
chocolate producer). Although it was sweet, it was hard and dry. It was
difficult to bite it, so it had to be improved. But the success with the
recipe belonged to a Swiss chocolate producer Rudolph Lindt. He produced chocolate which melted on the
tongue for the first time ever.

THE CHOCOLATE SCIENCE

Now lets see what is so special about chocolate that people like it so much.
Some people say that it is simply the wonderful taste and smell of chocolate
that is so attractive. But scientists have some new theories why chocolate
makes us feel so good. They say that there are some bioactive elements in
chocolate that can improve our mood. They increase the activity of the brain,
positively influence our mood and energy: they make us feel stronger and
energetic. They also reduce our pain and stress. One of them is caffeine which
you can also find in coffee.

Another, rather controversial, theory is that chocolate contains very little

amount of an element which is also found in marihuana. Maybe thats the
secret? An interesting thing is that white chocolate is actually not chocolate.
Why? Because it has no cocoa in it! So it doesnt have any of these wonderful
effects.

THE CONSUMPTION OF CHOCOLATE

Statistically, every year, the world consumption of chocolate is about 5 kg per person. In Poland every person
eats about 4 kg of chocolate per year.
READ THE TEXT AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS:

1. How did Ancient Mayas and Aztecs consume chocolate?

What influence did they believe chocolate had?
2. Who introduced chocolate in Europe? Did people like it?
How and by whom was chocolate improved?
3. Who were Conrad van Houten and Rudolf Lindt? Why were they important in the history of
chocolate?
4. How does chocolate influence our body and mind?
What is the controversial theory about the influence of chocolate?
5. Which kind of chocolate is the healthiest? Why?

FIND SYNONYMS TO THESE WORDS IN THE TEXT (THE WORDS IN BOLD):

from a long time ago (adj) a __________

the state of being rich (n) w___________
elements (n) i __________________
put in, join (v) a ________________
when a harder substance changes into more liquid substance (verb) m__________
not sweet (adj) b________________
make better (v) i________________
make bigger (v) i_______________
the money that is used in particular country (n) c_____________
substitute, use instead something else (v) r _________________
instruction how to cook / bake something (n) r _______________
the power sth / sb has over you, the effect it has on you (v) i____________

a chocolate __________

FILL THE GAPS WITH PASSIVE VOICE

1. The first chocolate drink __________(invent) by Aztecs and Mayas. It __________ (serve) with chilli.
2. Chocolate __________________(bring) to Spain by Columbus.
3. The Spanish king liked chocolate drink only after the recipe _____________ (improve);
that is chilli ___________________(replace) by sugar.
4. When chocolate got to England, many chocolate houses _________________(open).
5. The first chocolate bar __________________________(invent) by van Houten.
6. The first soft chocolate bar ________________________(make) by Lindt.
8. Every year about 5 kg of chocolate _________________________(eat) by each person.