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Questions and Answers
What was a common sweetener used in Mayan cuisine?
What was a common sweetener used in Mayan cuisine?
What were the raised roads built by the Mayans called?
What were the raised roads built by the Mayans called?
What was the typical width range of a sacbeob?
What was the typical width range of a sacbeob?
Which item was not used as currency by Mayan merchants?
Which item was not used as currency by Mayan merchants?
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What type of boats did coastal Mayans primarily use for transport?
What type of boats did coastal Mayans primarily use for transport?
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What spice was frequently used in Mayan recipes alongside chili peppers?
What spice was frequently used in Mayan recipes alongside chili peppers?
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The longest known sacbeob discovered spans how many miles?
The longest known sacbeob discovered spans how many miles?
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What was the primary use of cacao beans by the Maya aside from consumption?
What was the primary use of cacao beans by the Maya aside from consumption?
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What type of drink did the Maya originally make with cacao beans?
What type of drink did the Maya originally make with cacao beans?
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Which social class primarily consumed chocolate in Mayan society?
Which social class primarily consumed chocolate in Mayan society?
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How did the Maya innovate the cultivation of cocoa in the Yucatan region?
How did the Maya innovate the cultivation of cocoa in the Yucatan region?
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What was the role of cocoa beans in Mayan religious practices?
What was the role of cocoa beans in Mayan religious practices?
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What motivated the limited consumption of chocolate among commoners in Mayan society?
What motivated the limited consumption of chocolate among commoners in Mayan society?
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What was the significance of the Maya word for chocolate, Kakaw?
What was the significance of the Maya word for chocolate, Kakaw?
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In which century did the Maya start using cacao beans to make drinks?
In which century did the Maya start using cacao beans to make drinks?
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What was a primary reason for the limited consumption of chocolate in Mayan society?
What was a primary reason for the limited consumption of chocolate in Mayan society?
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What was one of the uses of cocoa beans other than consumption?
What was one of the uses of cocoa beans other than consumption?
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How did the Maya adapt to cultivate cocoa in the Yucatan region?
How did the Maya adapt to cultivate cocoa in the Yucatan region?
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Which class of society had the primary privilege to consume chocolate in Mayan culture?
Which class of society had the primary privilege to consume chocolate in Mayan culture?
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What was the flavor profile of the chocolate drink consumed by the Maya?
What was the flavor profile of the chocolate drink consumed by the Maya?
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In which time period did the Mayans begin cultivating cocoa?
In which time period did the Mayans begin cultivating cocoa?
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What were cocoa beans used as gifts for by the Mayan royalty?
What were cocoa beans used as gifts for by the Mayan royalty?
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What does the Maya word 'Kakaw' refer to?
What does the Maya word 'Kakaw' refer to?
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Which of the following was NOT likely a reason for the Mayans to use canoes in their transportation?
Which of the following was NOT likely a reason for the Mayans to use canoes in their transportation?
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What was a common product traded by Mayans around 900 AD that originated from regions outside their own?
What was a common product traded by Mayans around 900 AD that originated from regions outside their own?
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What did the Mayans primarily rely on to transport goods over their established routes?
What did the Mayans primarily rely on to transport goods over their established routes?
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How wide were most Mayan roads typically built?
How wide were most Mayan roads typically built?
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What role did cacao beans serve in Mayan commerce?
What role did cacao beans serve in Mayan commerce?
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What main ingredient did the Mayans utilize to sweeten their drinks?
What main ingredient did the Mayans utilize to sweeten their drinks?
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Which Mayan road is identified as the longest known sacbeob?
Which Mayan road is identified as the longest known sacbeob?
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Study Notes
Mayan Culture and Cocoa
- Cacao trees grow pods directly from their trunks
- Pods contain cacao beans
- Mayans used cacao beans to make a chocolate drink since the 4th century AD
- Drink was bitter, often spiced with chilli, vanilla, and other spices
- Cacao beans were highly valued and even used as currency
- Maya word for chocolate is Kakaw
- Mayans used chocolate in religious ceremonies and to make medicine
Mayan Chocolate Cultivation
- Mayans were descendants of Olmec civilizations who also grew cocoa
- They began cultivating cocoa in low-lying lands suitable for its growth, as early as 200 B.C.
- When populations shifted to the Yucatan Peninsula, Mayans developed new cocoa cultivation methods for personal gardens.
- The climate of Yucatan wasn't ideal; cultivation methods had to adapt.
- Consumption of chocolate was primarily for the nobility
- Cultivation was limited due to demand being greater than supply (imported from other cities)
Cocoa Beans as Currency
- Cocoa beans were highly valued in Mayan society
- Used as currency in marketplaces
- Royals used beans for gifts
- City-states used beans as tribute
- Availability varied based on a region's ability to grow beans
- Cacao beans had a fixed price
Mayan Food Flavourings
- Mayans used a variety of spices and herbs to flavor foods and drinks
- Chili peppers, vanilla, and cinnamon were frequently used
- Honey was used as a sweetener
- Avocado-based sauce was a popular addition to dishes
Mayan Roads
- Mayan roads (sacbeobs) were elevated, typically 2-4 ft, sometimes up to 8 feet above the ground in swampy areas.
- Roads were 12-32 feet wide
- Connected important buildings and complexes and extended to outlying districts.
- The longest known Mayan road stretched from Coba to Yaxuna (over 60 miles) but evidence suggests some were over 100 kilometers.
Coastal Trade
- Coastal Mayan groups used canoes to trade with inland groups
- Trade goods included salt, fish, shells, pearls (mostly supplied by coastal groups)
- Canoes, carved from large trees, were often 50 feet long.
- Goods transported to towns along the coast, then transported inland via canoes.
Other Goods and Trade
- Salted/dried meats were valued
- Turquoise, gold, and copper objects appeared around 900 AD
- Commerce controlled by wealthy merchants who used cacao beans as currency
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Description
Explore the fascinating role of cacao in Mayan culture, from its cultivation to its significance in rituals and trade. This quiz delves into how the Mayans valued cacao beans, used them as currency, and incorporated chocolate in their daily life and ceremonies. Discover the historical impact of this beloved ingredient.
