Bruner-Shaver 1

Chelcie Bruner-Shaver K. Sager COMM xF61 15 June 2011 Chocolate, Coca, Theobromo Cacoa Outline Intro: Have you ever wondered how your favorite chocolate bar gets to the store for you to purchase it? How do those big name chocolate companies make such delicious candy? Could you make your own chocolates from scratch? Purpose of speech: The truth is, it is not impossible for you to generate your very own chocolates from scratch just like the big name chocolate distributers. Preview of main points: Today well take a look inside the early history of chocolate, different uses of chocolate, the process of making your own decadent delights, and the effects of these magnificent treats. Main point 1: Think back to the ancient times of the Mesoamerican period where the Maya and Aztecs, according to fmnh.org would make a bitter, spicy, chocolate drink. This was the most common use of the cocoa beans at the time, with added spices and water. Maybe if they had added sugar, and milk instead of water it would have been a less bitter drink, like our modern hot chocolate. Cocoa beans were a big part of both the Maya and Aztec societies. Depictions of drinking chocolate can be found on ancient artifacts. The artifacts show Gods, kings, and animals drinking the bitter elixir. Many Mayans had chocolate gardens near their homes. Since the Aztecs lived in what is now Central Mexico, they could not grow the cocoa trees in their climate. This forced the Aztecs to trade with the Mayans for the product. They

Bruner-Shaver 2

traveled by foot, with the beans safely packed in woven basket back-packs. As said in The Pleasure Instinct: Why we crave adventure, chocolate, pheromones, and music; it wasnt until the conquering of the Aztecs that chocolate began to be made as we make it today. The recipe was given to King Carlos servants by Hernando Cortez along with the cocoa beans. The servants sweetened the recipe with sugar (Wallenstein 81). With Spain obtaining this treat, and the need for more riches they introduced chocolate to Europe in the 1500s. After 100 years all of Europe knew of this sweet treat (fmnh.org) and so it flourished. Main point 2: Knowing about chocolates history before modern chocolate was created, brings the question, what else could it have been used for? The ancient peoples used it for ceremonial events, and currency. Now it seems we use chocolate as gifts, and for holidays. Ceremonial events such as a new marriage, and tribute to the Gods were common in the Aztec culture. Cocoa beans were also used to pay taxes to rulers (fmnh.org). Obviously consuming or eating chocolate is the most common use of it today. Now that Ive spoke to you about the history and briefly about the uses of chocolate, lets see how to make it from scratch. Well need to gather and purchase materials, follow the eight step process of chocolate making found on lifeguides.net, find out creative suggestions and enjoy our finished products.

Main point 3: 1.The materials that will be needed are as followed; Blender, Food Processor, Electric Mixer, Metal or Glass Bowl, Cooking Sheet, Cooking Spray, 1 lb. of Cocoa Beans, 2 Tablespoons of Cocoa Butter, 3 Ounces of Powdered Milk, 3 Ounces of Sugar, and Teaspoon of Lecithin. (lifeguides.net).

A.)Step one is to purchase the cocoa beans. According to the life guides website there are many cocoa beans to choose from, however Forasteros are the most common cocoa beans.

Bruner-Shaver 3

After youve purchased your cocoa beans it is time to place all ingredients and materials in the kitchen.

B.)Step two is preheating the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit. While the oven is preheating, place the cocoa beans you purchased on a cooking sheet first spraying with nonstick spray. The beans will roast for about 15-25 minutes, lowing the temperature to 300 degrees Fahrenheit over time. The beans will begin to crack, a sign that they are done roasting.

C.)Step three is to remove the husk. This can be done with a rolling pin. The beans will be cooling down as you remove the husk.

D.)After removing it and the beans are cooled step four you can begin by re-heating the beans in the oven on a low temperature for 5-6 minutes. When the cocoa beans are heated, they need to be ground into a liquid substance with the food processor for 10 minutes.

E.)Step five is to blend the ingredients together. Pour the chocolate liquid into a bowl, followed by the melted 2 tablespoons of cocoa butter. Dump the dry ingredients in afterwards; this includes the 3 ounces of powdered milk and sugar, then the Teaspoon of Lecithin.

F.)Conching the chocolate is step six, this can take up to 30 hours but no longer than 36 hours. Place the chocolate mix into the electric mixer. Using a blow dryer to keep the chocolate warm and melted will help in this step. You can also leave the mixture in the oven preheated to 150 degrees Fahrenheit over night.

G.)Step seven is tempering the chocolate, which requires much attention and time. Spread and compress the chocolate mix at 100 degrees on a flat surface. A candy thermometer will come in

Bruner-Shaver 4

handy. Add and re-compress every 10 minutes and repeat until the entire bowl has been through the step. The chocolate must be less than 91 degrees when complete.

H.)Final step is Cooling. In this step you can cool the chocolate in plastic shape molds. Get creative for the holidays, hearts, stars, and snowflake shaped chocolates would make great gifts.

Main point 4: When consuming chocolate the effects can be well defined. We laugh, and almost instantly theres a smile after a single bite. Conclusion: Today Ive explained exactly how to make chocolate from scratch at home, explained early history of chocolate and Mesoamerica, chocolate being used in ceremonies, and the effects of chocolate. Now when you take your next bite of chocolate consider all the hard work that would go into making it without the technology.

Bruner-Shaver 5

Works Cited Wallenstein, Gene. (2009) The Pleasure Instinct: Why We Crave Adventure, Chocolate, Pheromones, and Music. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons Inc. The History of Chocolate ( ) http://www.fmnh.org/ How to Make Chocolate (2010) Retrieved from http://www. Lifeguides.net/cooking/chocolate/