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Questions and Answers
The Maya people were known for their sweet chocolate drinks rather than bitter drinks.
The Maya people were known for their sweet chocolate drinks rather than bitter drinks.
False
What was the Maya word for chocolate?
What was the Maya word for chocolate?
Kakaw
Which of the following were uses for cacao beans in Mayan society?
Which of the following were uses for cacao beans in Mayan society?
The Mayans cultivated cacao primarily in areas with a warm climate.
The Mayans cultivated cacao primarily in areas with a warm climate.
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The Mayan civilization was known for its use of wheels and beasts of burden for transportation.
The Mayan civilization was known for its use of wheels and beasts of burden for transportation.
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Mayans consumed chocolate equally across all social classes, regardless of status.
Mayans consumed chocolate equally across all social classes, regardless of status.
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Study Notes
Mayan Chocolate
- Cacao trees grow pods directly from their trunks
- The pods contain cacao beans
- The Maya used cacao beans to make a chocolate drink as early as the 4th century AD
- The drink was often bitter, spiced with chili, vanilla, or other spices
- The drink was enjoyed by the rich & noble
- Cacao beans were a form of currency
- The Maya word for chocolate is Kakaw
- The Maya used chocolate in religious ceremonies
- The Maya mixed chocolate with herbs to make medicines
Mayan Chocolate Cultivation
- The Maya were descendants of the Olmec civilization
- The Maya began cultivating cocoa in low-lying lands with suitable climate and temperature
- Cocoa cultivation started around 200 BC
- Later, cultivation shifted to the Yucatan region, where new methods of cultivation were developed
- The Yucatan climate wasn't ideally suited for growing cocoa
- Cocoa cultivation was primarily limited to the nobility class
Cocoa Beans as Currency
- Cocoa beans were a highly valuable item
- They were used as currency in marketplaces
- Royal families used them as gifts
- Cities that controlled the cocoa beans often collected tribute from other cities
Mayan Food Flavourings
- The Maya used spices and herbs in their food and beverages
- Chili peppers, vanilla, and cinnamon were common ingredients
- Honey was a sweetener
- Avocado-based sauce was popular
Mayan Roads
- Mayan roads (sacbeobs) were raised 2-4 feet above ground level
- Roads were widened depending on traffic
- Roads connected important buildings and districts
- The longest known road stretches from Coba to Yaxuna (over sixty miles)
- The roads sometimes crossed swamps, and could be as high as 8 feet in those instances
- Roads also connected to outlying districts extending into the countryside
- There is little evidence remains 1100 years later.
Mayan Trade
- Coastal Mayans used canoes for trade
- They traded salt, fish, shells, and pearls
- Trade goods were transported on the backs of slaves
- Canoes were carved out of trees
- They traded along established routes
- Trade goods were transported to inland towns from the coasts
Mayan Commerce
- Salted and dried meats were highly valued
- Turquoise, gold, and copper objects from other regions began to appear around 900 AD
- Trade was controlled by wealthy merchants
- Cocoa beans were used as a standard currency with a fixed price
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Description
Explore the rich history of chocolate in Maya culture, from its cultivation to its use in ceremonies and as currency. Discover how cacao trees played a vital role in Maya society and the unique chocolate drinks they created. This quiz will provide insights into the unique practices and beliefs surrounding cacao in the ancient world.
