Chocolate: A Global History reveals the surprising journey of chocolate, tracing its path from ancient Mesoamerican rituals to its current status as a global commodity. The book explores how cocoa beans, once used as currency and in religious ceremonies by the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations, became a coveted treat in Europe and beyond. This transformation highlights not just a change in taste, but also shifts in global power dynamics and cultural interactions.
The narrative progresses chronologically, examining the European encounter with cocoa, the rise of cocoa plantations, and the subsequent reliance on forced labor. It further investigates the industrialization of chocolate in the 19th and 20th centuries, touching upon the creation of iconic brands and the globalization of consumption.
The book takes a comprehensive approach, drawing from various disciplines to offer a nuanced understanding of chocolate's intricate past, and encourages readers to consider ethical sourcing and sustainable practices within the chocolate industry.
