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Questions and Answers
What was a primary reason that chocolate consumption was mainly limited to the Mayan nobility?
What was a primary reason that chocolate consumption was mainly limited to the Mayan nobility?
What were cocoa beans used for in Mayan society aside from being an ingredient for drinks?
What were cocoa beans used for in Mayan society aside from being an ingredient for drinks?
Which method did the Mayans use to access the cocoa beans when local cultivation was insufficient?
Which method did the Mayans use to access the cocoa beans when local cultivation was insufficient?
How did the Mayans utilize chocolate in their society aside from consumption?
How did the Mayans utilize chocolate in their society aside from consumption?
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What type of drink did the Maya originally create from cacao beans?
What type of drink did the Maya originally create from cacao beans?
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What was the Maya term for chocolate?
What was the Maya term for chocolate?
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What climatic conditions aided the initial cultivation of cocoa by the Mayans?
What climatic conditions aided the initial cultivation of cocoa by the Mayans?
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How did elite classes view the consumption of chocolate during the Maya civilization?
How did elite classes view the consumption of chocolate during the Maya civilization?
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What role did cacao beans play in Mayan commerce?
What role did cacao beans play in Mayan commerce?
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What was the primary purpose of the Mayan roads known as sacbeobs?
What was the primary purpose of the Mayan roads known as sacbeobs?
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Which of the following spices was NOT commonly used by the Mayans?
Which of the following spices was NOT commonly used by the Mayans?
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How did coastal Mayan groups primarily transport goods to inland areas?
How did coastal Mayan groups primarily transport goods to inland areas?
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What was the average width of a sacbeob?
What was the average width of a sacbeob?
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What type of goods did the Mayans primarily transport using canoes?
What type of goods did the Mayans primarily transport using canoes?
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Which of the following statements about the Mayan roads is accurate?
Which of the following statements about the Mayan roads is accurate?
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Study Notes
Mayan Chocolate
- Cacao trees grow pods directly from their trunks.
- The Maya used cacao beans to make drinks as early as the 4th century AD.
- The drink was bitter, often spiced with chili, vanilla, or other spices.
- The rich and noble enjoyed the drink.
- Cacao beans were highly valued, even used as currency.
- The Maya word for chocolate is Kakaw.
- Cacao was used in religious ceremonies and medicine.
Mayan Chocolate Cultivation
- Mayans, descendants of the Olmec, cultivated cocoa in suitable climates.
- Cultivation began around 200 B.C.
- Later, in the Yucatan region, Mayans developed new methods for cultivation in personal gardens.
- The Yucatan climate wasn't ideal for cocoa growth.
- Cocoa cultivation was mostly limited to the nobility.
- Cocoa often had to be imported to Mayan cities, making it expensive.
- Chocolate was a sign of social status, rarely consumed by commoners.
Cocoa Beans as Currency
- Cocoa beans were valuable currency in Mayan marketplaces.
- Royalty used them as gifts.
- Mayan cities that couldn't cultivate cocoa often traded tribute for cocoa beans.
Mayan Food Flavourings
- The Maya used spices and herbs to flavor food and drinks.
- Chili peppers, vanilla, and cinnamon were common ingredients.
- Honey was used as a sweetener.
- Avocado sauce was a popular dish.
Mayan Roads
- Mayan roads (sacbeobs) were raised above ground level (2-4 ft., up to 8 ft. in swamps).
- They were 12-32 ft wide.
- Important buildings and ceremonial centers were connected by the roads.
- Roads extended far into the countryside.
- A notable road stretched from Coba to Yaxuna (over 60 miles).
- Historians believe the longest roads exceeded 100km.
Mayan Trade
- Coastal Mayans used canoes to trade with inland groups.
- Goods included salt, fish, shells, and pearls.
- Trade goods were carried by slaves or canoes.
- Canoes could be up to 50 feet long.
- Trade routes extended to inland towns.
- Trade was still in use when the Spanish arrived.
Other Mayan Items of Value
- Salted and dried meats were highly valued.
- Gold, copper, and turquoise from different regions became important trading items by the 900 AD.
- Wealthy merchants controlled trade.
- Cacao beans were a fixed currency item in commerce.
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Description
Explore the history and significance of chocolate in Mayan culture. Discover how cacao was cultivated, its use as currency, and its role in social status and religious practices. This quiz delves into the unique aspects of chocolate that were central to the Maya civilization.
