People
This person was the first European to try cacao.
Columbus
The cacao tree is native to what continent? Where is is grown today?
Central and South America. It's grown around the equator, Samoa, Africa, Caribbean, South-East Asia, New Guinea.
What color is the cocoa plant pods and what size are they?
Yellow-green and about the size of a hand.
What is the compound in chocolate that can boost brain function?
'They seemed to hold these almonds [referring to the cacao beans] at a great price; for when they were brought on board ship together with their goods, I observed that when any of these almonds fell, they all stooped to pick it up.'
Why were the almonds picked up?
They were the currency of the people at the time.
Which conquistador brought back three chests of cacao beans to the King of Spain?
Hernando Cortez
This is the modern location that Columbus first came into contact with cacao.
Honduras
What part of the cacao tree does chocolate come from?
The seeds of the fruit pods.
What percentage counts as a 'dark' chocolate?
65% and above
Others propose an enigmatic tale that the ______, the first people known to eat cacao, brought the tree from their original homeland, and that this unknown location may have disappeared under the sea.
Who were the first people known to have eaten Cacao?
The Olmecs
Which companies financed a 'study' that found a positive correlation between chocolate and lower cholesterol?
Masterfoods, the maker of Mars which also owns M-n-M's and Dove chocolate.
Name 3 of the top producing cacao places in the world.
Côte d’Ivoire / Ivory Coast
Ghana
Indonesia
Nigeria
Cameroon
Brazil
Ecuador
There are three main varieties of the Cacao tree. What are they?
Forastero, Criollo, Trinitario
What additives make chocolate more appealing?
Butter or other fats, sugar and cream.
This country leads the world in both chocolate consumption and Nobel Prizes
Switzerland
What other chocolate company has poured money into chocolate research to back the idea that chocolate is a health food?
Hersheys
Where do the author of the first article and his wife first see Cacao on the trees?
The cacao tree's #1 variety is...???
Forastero
Name 3 chocolate treats from Card 4 in Activity 4.
Hot Chocolate, Cake, Mendiants
Name the positive side effects of eating chocolate according to a Dutch Study
Men had a 50% lower chance of 'cardiovascular mortality'.
What is the name of the researcher from Johns Hopkins Medical School?
Diane Becker
Where is one place you would find cacao trees in North America?
Any country in Mesoamerica.
True of False: The cacao "tree" is actually a large vine.
false
This type of cacao bean is the most sought after for fine chocolatiers.
Criollo
When is the most recent time cacao beans were used as currency (money) by people?