“The Maya believed that cacao held the power to unlock certain hidden yearnings and reveal destinies.” Vianne Rocher, 'Chocolat' the Movie

Here's a sweet little history lesson...(and yes, I'm back logging right now...I'm trying to catch up :) )

The word cacao originated from the Maya word Ka'kau', as well as the Maya words Chocol'ha and the verb chokola'j "to drink chocolate together" ,and was adapted centuries later by the aztecs. The Maya believed that the ka'kau' was discovered by the gods in a mountain that also contained other delectable foods to be used by the Maya. According to Maya mythology, Hunahpú gave cacao to the Maya after humans were created from maize by the divine grandmother goddess Ixmucané. (Bogin 1997, Coe 1996, Montejo 1999, Tedlock 1985).

The cacao tr

ee is called Madre Cacao or Theobroma cacao meaning "Food of the Gods".

The Maya celebrated an annual festival in April to honor their cacao god, Ek Chuah.

A lord tests the heat of his chocolate in this painting on a Late Classic Maya vase from Petén; note tamales (Maize cakes), covered with chocolate-chile sauce below him.

"And so they were happy over the provisions of the good mountain,

filled with sweet things, . . . thick with pataxte and cacao. . . the rich

foods filling up the citadel named Broken Place, Bitter Water Place".

Popol Vuh

Our first night in Hungary was one never to be forgotten. It was a night of all you can eat chocolate from our gracious hostess’s scrumptious stash of some of the most delicate pieces of heaven both homemade and not, secret from even her husband, who was allowed to join us for the night.

Aawww...what a night...or for him maybe it was more like, "ahhh!!" as, due to a "male" comment, he quickly found himself in a whirlwind of explanation on how there's so much more to this sweet sensation than what meets the lips.

A night of education on the mysterious power chocolate has over women as part of celebrations, special occasions, monthly annoyances, moments of weakness, and daily delights. How though for some, the sweet fragrance of flowers seem to melt the ever dainty feminine heart, for others, the bittersweet sensation of a glorious piece of heaven settling in and slowly melting away across the rolling hill landscape of one’s tongue is a soothing yet enchanting experience. An experience of which my words could never fully describe to the sufficient degree as perhaps the taste buds would if they could with us share. Such an enlightenment can instantly be stirred by the mere waft from a nearby shop. And, in the end, how this seemingly simple sweet far from disappoints any encounter, romantic or not.

This was the case for his beloved. The case was in favor of greater romance in their self-proclaimed soul mate relationship. Neither, “It was meant to be,” nor, “I just knew from the moment we first spoke…there was just this feeling or vibe…. indescribable...” are excuses that will succor the heart of anyone dedicated to a lifetime or eternal commitment. Even the most sacrosanct relationship must be nurtured according to true needs. This brought us to median of our dialogue on this ambrosia: “How to meet the need.” Amongst giggles, occasional blushing, and wide-eyes of curiosity and wonder if what I said was true (which was always confirmed by our lovely Lisa), I began to rattling off a number of chocolate-inclusive romantic ideas, dates, surprises, and ordinary opportunities that our dear Latzi could try with little effort and much success. Our evening was christened with our follow through on his recommendation of the movie Chocolat and her replacement of the typical cinema popcorn with a heaping bowl of Belgium chocolate chips for us each. We watched. We nibbled. We fell in love. We enjoyed every moment of it.

Janise and I are now hopelessly determined to find that little village and spend an evening much like that in the movie when they dance the evening away in a quaint village surrounded by the beauty of real, deeply rooted culture and tradition, embraced by the warm smiles of friends yet to be made in a country awaiting us, serenaded by the charm of live music and a glaze of laughter.

We’ll find it. I’m sure of it.

mmmm...cocao...