Pleasure Frenzy

The History of Chocolate and Chocolate Gift Baskets   by Mark Etinger

When it comes to candy and chocolates, we often don’t think about where they came from, we just enjoy them! But chocolate has a rich history (pun intended!) and after you learn a little about it, that next chocolate gift basket you receive will mean a whole lot more. Or if you give a chocolate gift basket to someone else, you can fill them in on a little back story that they may find fascinating!

Most people know that the Bulk Chocolate you find at stores comes from the Cacao Bean. Its cultivation goes way back to Mesoamerican times in the 1400s. Some of the first uses for it were to create a bitter chocolate drink that had water and chili peppers added to make it spicy. The Aztecs and Mayans both did so. They also traded their cacao and had conquered people to pay tribute in these beans.

In Europe however, they did not hear about this drink until the 16th century. Christopher Columbus brought Cocoa Beans to Spain and then it was introduced more widely around Europe from there. Sugar and milk were added to lessen the bitterness of the beverage. Others replaced the spice of chili with vanilla.

For hundreds of years the process of making liquid chocolate didn’t change. Then when the Industrial Revolution hit, there was a new way to make chocolate into a solid. Mechanical mills were put into heavy use to create the kind of bulk chocolate we know today. J.S. Fry & Sons was the first company to make edible, solid chocolate, followed closely by Cadbury just 2 years later. Yes, that’s the Cadbury we all know and love today and associate with lovely, hollow chocolate eggs!

In the 1870s, chocolate was being created by a man named Henri Nestle, who helped remove the water from the milk so it wouldn’t mildew. Then a man named Rodolphe Lindt invented conching, a process that made sure the liquid was blended smoothly, which gave Milton Hershey the ability to mass produce chocolate bars that everyone could afford. If all of these last names sound familiar, they should! Now you realize just how old some of the major chocolate companies really are!

So the next time you get that chocolate gift basket, think about how far back the history of it goes. While the choices of chocolate today are vast and plenty compared to back then, it’s still been around for hundreds more years than most people realize!

About the Author

Chocolicious NY has everything you need for gift basket ideas. From chocolate gift baskets to dried fruit, there’s a great gift for everyone.

Cacao (Chocolate) Powder, RAW, 2.5-lbs, Organic $49.95 Cacao RAW 2.5LB

Cacao (Chocolate) Powder, 16 oz, Organic, Raw (Amber Jar) $27.95 Cacao Pwd 16oz

Hersheys Extra Dark Chocolate with 60% Cacao – 3.5 Oz 14 ea $42.53 Velvety smooth rich dark chocolate from a select blend of cacao beans.

Cacao (Chocolate) Powder, 8 oz, Organic, Raw $12.95 Made from raw, organic cacao beans, Sunfoods Cacao Powder can be easily added to a variety of foods to provide amazing flavors and powerful benefits, including antioxidants and PEAs.

igourmet Venchi Cuor di Cacao Chocolate Bars – 45gr. $5.99 Venchi Cuor di Cacao Chocolate Bars – 45gr. – Milk with Gianduja Sugar Free

Amour de Cacao $63.99 Women’s 3.3 oz EDT Spray (Glass Bottle). Dangerously alluring and passionately addictive Amour de Cacao offers a delicate and original alternative for vanilla lovers. This elegant fluid confection lingers with a powdery exoticism. Amour de Cacao conjures up intertwined images of closeness warmth and devotion. Since chocolate is an aphrodisiac this scent is ideal for sharing with notes of Vanilla Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Bitter Orange.

SCHARFEEN BERGER: 41% Cacao Milk Chocolate Bar: 18 Count $44.31 41% Cacao Milk Chocolate Bar: 18 Count SCHARFFEN BERGER: Our 1-ounce bars are the perfect individual size for snacking or dessert. Our 41% Cacao Milk chocolate is a dark milk chocolate, with caramel overtones. We use organic milk from pasture-raised cows. FLAVOR: Milk Chocolate

Dark Chocolate Cacao Nib Toffee / Tent Box: 12 Count $54.45 Dark Chocolate Cacao Nib Toffee / Tent Box: 12 Count Hand-made toffee and roasted coffee nibs paired with rich high-cacao dark chocolate. Each box is approximately 4.5oz. FLAVOR: Dark Chocolate, Toffee, Coffee

From Cacao Bean to Chocolate $16.02 This book is in Good Used condition

60% Cacao Dark Chocolate Squares 5.25oz Bag: 1 Count $6.54 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate Squares 5.25oz Bag: 1 Count 60% Cacao Dark Chocolate Squares delivers the perfect balance of intense Ghirardelli chocolate and rich ingredients such as real cocoa butter and natural vanilla. Deep, dark, and decadent, this high cacao content recipe redefines chocolate indulgence.60% Cacao Dark Chocolate Squares 5.25oz Bag: 1 Count Specifications:Bags per Shipment: 1 Bag per ShipmentCandy Type: Packaged CandySize of Product: 5.25oz per BagTotal Shipping Weight: Approximately 1.4 Pounds

SCHARFEEN BERGER: 82% Cacao Extra Dark Chocolate Bar: 18 Count $44.31 82% Extra Dark Bar: 18 Count SCHARFFEN BERGER: Our 1-ounce bars are the perfect individual size for snacking or dessert. Our 82% Cacao Extra Dark chocolate is a powerful dose of all the deeply bitter nuance of the fully fermented cacao bean. FLAVOR: Dark Chocolate

Superfood Cereal, Cacao Crunch, 9oz, Living Intentions (raw, organic ingred.) $9.25 Enjoy a spoonful of chocolate with the new Cacao Crunch Superfood Cereal!

Cacao Nibs Box: 6 Count $55.29 Cacao Nibs Box: 6 Count Cacao Nibs are perfectly roasted cocoa beans separated from their husks and broken into small bits. They are the essence of chocolate. Nibs add crunchiness and subtle chocolate flavor to baked goods and savory dishes. They make a great substitute for roasted nuts or chocolate chips, without added sweetness. Packaged with suggestions for use in a 6-ounce nitrogen flushed mylar bag, they are a unique gift for the home baker. FLAVOR: Chocolate

70% Cacao Extra Bittersweet Bar: 12 Count $38.45 70% Cacao Extra Bittersweet Bar: 12 Count Our new Ghirardelli 70% Cacao Extra Bittersweet Baking Bar will stir the palate of dark chocolate connoisseurs with its intense fusion of dark, complex chocolate flavors and velvety texture. This purchase contains 12 x 4oz bars.FLAVOR: Dark Chocolate

Theo Chocolate 23488 Organic Milk Chocolate 45 Percent Cacao Bar $56.19 THEO CHOCOLATE 12x 3 OZ ORGANIC MILK CHOCOLATE 45 CACAO BAR. Delicious organic fair trade seductively rich and creamy 45 milk chocolate.:. (Note: This product description is informational only. Always check the actual product label in your possession for the most accurate ingredient information before use. For any health or dietary related matter always consult your doctor before use.)

Theo Chocolate 23491 Organic Dark Chocolate 70 Percent Cacao Bar $56.96 THEO CHOCOLATE 12x 3 OZ ORGANIC DARK CHOCOLATE 70 CACAO BAR. Delicious organic fair trade seductively smooth and rich 70 dark chocolate.:. (Note: This product description is informational only. Always check the actual product label in your possession for the most accurate ingredient information before use. For any health or dietary related matter always consult your doctor before use.)

Cacao Nibs – Bulk 2.5-pound bag (raw, certified organic) $44.95 Bulk 2.5-pound bag pricing for serious cacao lovers! Raw Cacao (Chocolate) is the number one source of magnesium, and it contains an impressive antioxidant profile.

60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Bar: 12 Count $38.45 60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Bar: 12 Count Our new improved formulation for Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Baking Bar delivers an intensely rich yet balanced chocolate sensation???not too sweet, not too bitter???for lingering pleasure in any dessert. This purchase contains 12 x 4oz bars.FLAVOR: Dark Chocolate

Pacari Chocolate Bar, Dark, 1.76oz, Organic, 100% Cacao, Raw $4.99 Offering hints of fruit and spices with the perfect balance of slight acidity and bitterness, this raw cacao bar is an amazing blend of flavor and health benefits.

Sweetriot 23147 70 Percent Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs $60.52 SWEETRIOT 12x 1 OZ 70 CHOCOLATE COVERED CACAO NIBS. Cacao nibs lightly roasted covered in 70 dark chocolate with a hint of espresso. Each 1oz tin is packed with density and flavor destined to hook you on our tasty little peace(s). Don t forget to share the riot with friends and family…: GLUTEN FREE KOSHER. (Note: This product description is informational only. Always check the actual product label in your possession for the most accurate ingredient information before use. For any health or dietary related matter always consult your doctor before use.)

Sweetriot 23141 65 Percent Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs $60.52 SWEETRIOT 12x 1 OZ 65 CHOCOLATE COVERED CACAO NIBS. Warning Don t take the riot lightly… there s a lot of flavor in each 1oz tin. Cacao nibs lightly roasted dunked in 65 dark chocolate for true chocoholics. Let the riot begin…: GLUTEN FREE KOSHER. (Note: This product description is informational only. Always check the actual product label in your possession for the most accurate ingredient information before use. For any health or dietary related matter always consult your doctor before use.)

Chocolate in Mesoamerica : A Cultural History of Cacao $44.53 No Synopsis Available

100% Cacao Unsweetened Baking Bar: 12 Count $38.45 100% Cacao Unsweetened Baking Bar: 12 CountGhirardelli 100% Cacao Unsweetened Baking Bar starts with the finest cocoa beans from around the world. The beans are carefully roasted and milled to create the pure, rich Ghirardelli chocolate taste. Our unsweetened baking bar will give your desserts the delectable essence of pure chocolate intensity.This purchase contains 12 – 4oz bars.FLAVOR: Dark Chocolate

Beans to Chocolate $3.77 Follows the process of manufacturing chocolate, from harvesting the cacao beans to making candy.

SCHARFFEN BERGER: 62% Cacao Semi Sweet Bar: 18 Count $44.31 62% Cacao Semi Sweet Bar: 18 Count SCHARFFEN BERGER: Our 1-ounce bars are the perfect individual size for snacking or dessert. Our 62% Cacao Semisweet chocolate is a round, approachable flavor aimed to please. FLAVOR: Chocolate

SCHARFEEN BERGER: 62% Cacao Mocha Bar: 18 Count $44.31 62% Cacao Mocha Bar: 18 Count SCHARFFEN BERGER: Our 1-ounce bars are the perfect individual size for snacking or dessert. Our Mocha bar is our 62% Cacao Semisweet chocolate with finely ground Sumatran coffee beans mixed right in. FLAVOR: Chocolate

SCHARFFEN BERGER: 62% Cacao Dark Nibby Bar:12 Count $60.38 62% Cacao Dark Nibby Bar: 12 Count Our 3-ounce dark chocolate bars are considered two servings, but once you start one, you’ll find it easy to eat it all! Our 62% Cacao Dark chocolate is a powerful dose of all the deeply bitter nuance of the fully fermented cacao bean. FLAVOR: Dark Chocolate

Green and Black’s Chocolate Recipes: Unwrapped – From the Cacao Pod to Muffins, Mousses and Moles $39.99 New – Chocolate is full of texture and taste and it can be turned into sweet and savoury, simple and sophisticated recipes. Above all, chocolate inspires many moods and so the chapters are divided into Magic (glamorous recipes for dinner parties), Abracadabra (quick and easy recipes), Light and Airy (light puddings and mousses that melt on your tongue), Licking the Bowl (for children and birthdays) and Wicked (those irresistible concoctions). As well as the more traditional ideas for cakes, pudd

Green and Black’s Chocolate Recipes: Unwrapped – From the Cacao Pod to Muffins, Mousses and Moles $30.63 New – Chocolate is full of texture and taste and it can be turned into sweet and savoury, simple and sophisticated recipes. Above all, chocolate inspires many moods and so the chapters are divided into Magic (glamorous recipes for dinner parties), Abracadabra (quick and easy recipes), Light and Airy (light puddings and mousses that melt on your tongue), Licking the Bowl (for children and birthdays) and Wicked (those irresistible concoctions). As well as the more traditional ideas for cakes, pudd

1 Lb Solid White Chocolate Naked Easter Chicks $15 There’s nothing x-rated about these Naked Chicks! Just sixteen ounces of pure, solid white chocolate delight. Each hatchling is made with our 33 percent cacao Snowy White Chocolate. Also available in our Private Reserve Dark Chocolate, Prestige Milk Chocolate, and a mixed bag of Naked Chicks. Important Information: Made in a facility that uses peanuts, tree nuts, gluten and dairy products.

11 Oz Chocagave Bold Roast Dessert Syrup $10 Available by the unit or case, this delicious artisanal dark chocolate sauce made from organic nectars raw organic agave syrup and the world’s finest roasted cocoa powder, chocagave bold roast has quickly become a best seller due to its rich chocolatey taste and texture — a departure from our raw cacao flavor. great as a dessert topping, fruit dip, coffee and milk flavoring, in smoothies, and even savories (if you’re adventurous!)

11 Oz Chocagave Bold Roast Dessert Syrup Case Of 6 $49 Also available by the individual unit, this delicious artisanal dark chocolate sauce made from organic nectars raw organic agave syrup and the world’s finest roasted cocoa powder, chocagave bold roast has quickly become a best seller due to its rich chocolatey taste and texture — a departure from our raw cacao flavor. great as a dessert topping, fruit dip, coffee and milk flavoring, in smoothies, and even savories (if you’re adventurous!)

11 Oz Chocagave Raw Cacao Dessert Syrup $10 Available by the unit or case, two of our signature products are combined to make one of the most luscious enjoyable Chocolate sauces in existence, without any refined sugar or chemical sweeteners. Made from antioxidant rich Organic Raw Cacao and the low-glycemic, sweet Agave Syrup. Enjoy in smoothies, sweets and savories (if you have a little chef in you somewhere!)

11 Oz Chocagave Raw Cacao Dessert Syrup Case Of 6 $49 Available by the unit or case, two of our signature products are combined to make one of the most luscious enjoyable dark chocolate sauces in existence, without any refined sugar or chemical sweeteners. Made from antioxidant rich Organic Raw Cacao and the low-glycemic, sweet Agave Syrup. Enjoy in smoothies, sweets and savories (if you have a little chef in you somewhere!)

12 Bar Luxury Box Set $78 Give the gift of TCHO. Share premium dark chocolate from San Francisco’s only chocolate manufacturer.Delight your friends and customers with a thoughtful gift of elegantly wrapped, stunningly packaged, and utterly unique “flavor-driven” dark chocolate.Similar to winemakers’ approach to grapes, we source our cacao based on its inherent flavors including “Chocolatey”, “Fruity”, “Nutty”, and “Citrus”. There is no fruit in “Fruity” nor a nut in “Nutty” – only genetics and terroir give our bars their pure flavors. Taste and share the exquisite flavors of TCHO.

12 Piece Box Of Assorted Chocolates $24 Our signature 12 Piece Box is an assortment of meticulously handcrafted artisanal chocolates. Each jewel-like piece of chocolate is created and designed to represent the inspiration behind each flavor. Anna Shea Chocolates uses only the freshest and finest ingredients, never artificial flavorings or preservatives. This 12 Piece assortment is a tempting collection of milk, white and dark chocolates. The velvety smooth ganache in our chocolates is balanced in flavor and texture, leaving different notes of cacao and other ingredients slow dancing on your tongue. They are an indulgence not to be forgotten. The unique and creative designs and flavor combinations will transport you to places no ordinary chocolate has ever taken you before.

12 Piece Truffle Fudge Bar Assortment $42.5 At John Kelly Chocolates, we have a special way of combining what you love most about truffles and fudge, creating something utterly unique – chocolate truffle fudge. Our proprietary recipe produces a creamy texture that literally melts in your mouth. And each piece is coated with a decadent layer of chocolate. Of course, it all starts with a high-quality Belgian chocolate – whether it be semi-sweet (53% cacao), dark (86%) or white. All certified Kosher.

12pc Almond Stuffed Dates In Dark Chocolate Halal Certified $12.5 Splurge and eat, or give as a treat; these juicy, almond-stuffed dates hidden in gourmet 73% Cacao Belgium chocolate will make your Ramadan and Eid extraordinary. Handmade in the heart of Pennsylvania, Lang’s Chocolates are crafted with wholesome, pure ingredients, and are halal certified by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, (IFANCA). Lang’s Chocolates designed and handcrafted this special desert of Dark Chocolate, Almonds, and Dates just for Ramadan and Eid, but it can be enjoyed as part of any special celebration such as: bismillahs, ameens, aqeeqahs, and walimahs.

12pc Dark Chocolate Almond Stuffed Dates Certified Kosher-Dairy and Halal $12.95 Serve the Ultimate in Good Taste. Premium Belgium Chocolate, Fresh Dates, and Almonds for Ramadan & Eid. Splurge and eat, or give as a treat; these juicy, almond-stuffed dates hidden in gourmet 73% Cacao Belgium chocolate will make your Ramadan and Eid extraordinary. Handmade in the heart of Pennsylvania, Langs Chocolates are crafted with wholesome, pure ingredients, and are halal certified by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, (IFANCA).

16 Piece Whimsical Heart Box $30 Some of our flavors include: Lavender Honey, Bergamot, Chipotle Ginger, Cacao 3 Ways, Cinnamon Honey, Late Harvest, Strawberry Love, Pistachio, Mint Pignoli, Pepita, Lemon Tisane, After Hours, North Fork Red, Blueberry Port, Kaffir and Grapefruit Confit

1997 Economic Census. Manufacturing. Industry Series. Chocolate and Confectionery Manufacturing from Cacao Beans $14.98 U. S. Government,Paperback, English-language edition,Pub by Books LLC

2 Cacao Nib Bars $12 Delicious dark chocolate Bar with Cacoa Nibs.

2 Crunchy Cashew Brittles $17.5 Our divinely decadent raw, vegan chocolates are stone ground and hand made in our Northern California facility from the finest ingredients. Our raw organic chocolates are made with maple sugar and the finest imported cacao. Our vegan cacao brittles are rich and satisfying, inspiring bliss in every bite.

2 Golden Princess Brittles $17.5 Our divinely decadent raw, vegan chocolates are stone ground and hand made in our Northern California facility from the finest ingredients. Our raw organic chocolates are made with maple sugar and the finest imported cacao. Our vegan cacao brittles are rich and satisfying, inspiring bliss in every bite.

2 Vanilla Hazelnut Bars $17.5 Ingredients Cacao Beans*, Hazelnuts*, Agave Nectar*, Lucuma Fruit*, Vanilla Bean*, Blue-Green Algae*, Love. *organicThe Vanilla Hazelnut Bar combines the unforgettable flavor of hazelnuts with the luscious feel of vanilla. Adding far more than just amazing flavor, hazelnuts exhibit the highest proanthocyanidin content and folate content of any tree nut. Proanthocyanidins may help reduce the risk of blood clotting and urinary tract infections. Folate, (Vitamin B9) has been studied for its positive effect on the cardiovascular system, and it is especially important for pregnant women.Both Crystal Manna and the folate in hazelnuts may also help lift depression. Vanilla rounds out the incredible flavor and impressive health profile of this bar, offering immune-enhancing properties in the form of polysaccharides. The Gnosis Vanilla Hazelnut Bar is a healthful, distinct chocolate sensation which is a luxury to share and a uniquely nourishing creation to savor.We have worked to select the most potent combinations of superfoods to complement the highest quality raw chocolate in every bar. Enjoy the Vanilla Hazelnut Bar in grace, mindfulness, and the best health ever, and delight in the magic of Gnosis!

2011 Peg Perego Prima Tatamia In Cacao- Chocolate Brown $349.99 English-language edition,Pub by Peg-Perego

24 Piece Chocolate Collection $47 Indulge in a journey to a different point of view with 24 of our signature chocolates. You will discover organic chocolate, local to us ingredients and fresh dairy in our artisan crafted confections. We create with our hands, our senses and our emotions. We hope you enjoy them the same way.

3 All Dark Chocolate French Neapolitans 70 Percent $15.5 Cocoa lovers enjoy the intense taste sensation of dark chocolate Neapolitans. Do you like a drop of pure cacao with your coffee? Try dark chocolate Neapolitans. So much pleasure from just a few grams of chocolate.

3 Dark Chocolate Bars $15.5 Rich and dark, this bar is a new favorite for its brisk snap and cocoa forward flavor profile. The chocolate used in this bar is hand blended for a cacao content in the range of 59-62%. With just enough bitterness to keep it interesting our dark chocolate bar is hand cast to weigh an impressive 3.5oz.

3 Pacari Organic Raw 70 Percent Cacao Bars $21.5 In Pacari Raw dark chocolate, all of the cacao ingredients in are minimally processed and kept at low temperatures to maintain the antioxidants and complex flavor profile of the natural cacao. Cacao is one of the richest sources of antioxidants and flavonoids, and our raw chocolate process ensures that the maximum amounts of these compounds are maintained in the product.

32pc Almond Stuffed Medjool Dates In Dark Chocolate $46 Splurge and eat, or give as a treat; these juicy, almond-stuffed dates hidden in gourmet 73% Cacao Belgium chocolate will make your Ramadan and Eid extraordinary. Handmade in the heart of Pennsylvania, Lang’s Chocolates are crafted with wholesome, pure ingredients, and are halal certified by the Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America, (IFANCA). Lang’s Chocolates designed and handcrafted this special desert of Dark Chocolate, Almonds, and Dates just for Ramadan and Eid, but it can be enjoyed as part of any special celebration such as: bismillahs, ameens, aqeeqahs, and walimahs.

36 Piece Tiered Box Of Assorted Chocolates $76 A grand assortment of meticulously handcrafted artisanal chocolates presented in a luxurious leather and suede-like box. Each jewel-like piece of chocolate is created and designed to represent the inspiration behind each flavor. Anna Shea Chocolates uses only the freshest and finest ingredients, never artificial flavorings or preservatives. This 36 Piece assortment is a tempting collection of milk, white and dark chocolates. The velvety smooth ganache in our chocolates is balanced in flavor and texture, leaving different notes of cacao and other ingredients slow dancing on your tongue. They are an indulgence not to be forgotten. The unique and creative designs and flavor combinations will transport you to places no ordinary chocolate has ever taken you before.

4 Piece Truffle Fudge Bar Assortment $19 At John Kelly Chocolates, we have a special way of combining what you love most about truffles and fudge, creating something utterly unique – chocolate truffle fudge. Our proprietary recipe produces a creamy texture that literally melts in your mouth. And each piece is coated with a decadent layer of chocolate. Of course, it all starts with a high-quality Belgian chocolate – whether it be semi-sweet (53% cacao), dark (86%) or white. All certified Kosher.

4 Piece Window Box $7 Crowd pleasing chocolates for any gathering:Lavender FlowerLocally grown lavender steeped in fresh cream, organic milk chocolate, enrobed in 63% cacaoLocal Blueberry PortLocal blueberry port, Peruvian dark chocolate, whole blueberryStrawberry LoveFreshly pureed strawberries, organic dark chocolate, white chocolate heart dropCacao “3″ WaysIntense bittersweet ganache, enrobed in 63% cacao, crushed nibs

4 Pk Azteca Milk Chocolate And Roasted Nibs $24 Our most celebrated Choclatique Azetca Milk Chocolate (32% cacao) Tablets, each with a hint of spice and sprinkled with roasted, crunchy cacao nibs.

4 Pk Azteca Milk Chocolate Bars $20 Our most celebrated Choclatique Azetca Milk Chocolate (32% cacao) Bars.

4 Pk Dark Chocolate And California Almonds Bars $24 Four delectable Choclatique Private Reserve 64% Dark Chocolate Bars with California Almonds Inclusions. Choclatique’s Private Reserve 64% Dark Chocolate is made from 17 equatorial beans grown from the Tropic of Cancer to the Tropic of Capricorn. They are fermented, dried and roasted to perfection. Our chocolate is conched (blended) to an ultra-smooth texture for 72 hours at precise temperatures to bring out the natural dark fruity flavor of the cacao bean. Choclatique Dark Chocolate is smooth and unctuous; never bitter, sharp or brittle. It is rich in anti-oxidants and flavanols. It is the ultimate chocolate-lovers dark chocolate.