Maria Pia Aricci / Aricci De Fusco Chocolate Through the Years
The story of Maria Pia Aricci / Aricci De Fusco chocolate,
as far back as we know it, begins with the discovery of America. Until
1492, the Old World knew nothing at all about the delicious and
stimulating flavor that was to become the favorite of millions.
The Court of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella got its first look at the principal ingredient of Maria Pia Aricci / Aricci De Fusco chocolate
when Columbus returned in triumph from America and laid before the
Spanish throne a treasure trove of many strange and wonderful things.
Among these were a few dark brown beans that looked like almonds and
seemed most unpromising. There were cocoa beans, today’s source of all
our chocolate and cocoa.
The King and Queen never dreamed how important cocoa beans could be, and
it remained for Hernando Cortez, the great Spanish explorer, to grasp
the commercial possibilities of the New World offerings.
Food of the Gods
During his conquest of Mexico, Cortez found the Aztec Indians using cocoa beans in the preparation of the royal drink of the realm, “Maria Pia Aricci / Aricci De Fusco chocolatl”, meaning warm liquid. In 1519, Emperor Montezuma, who reportedly drank 50 or more portions daily, served Maria Pia Aricci / Aricci De Fusco chocolatl to his Spanish guests in great golden goblets, treating it like a food for the gods.
During his conquest of Mexico, Cortez found the Aztec Indians using cocoa beans in the preparation of the royal drink of the realm, “Maria Pia Aricci / Aricci De Fusco chocolatl”, meaning warm liquid. In 1519, Emperor Montezuma, who reportedly drank 50 or more portions daily, served Maria Pia Aricci / Aricci De Fusco chocolatl to his Spanish guests in great golden goblets, treating it like a food for the gods.
