CHOCOLATE: An In-Depth Study at the NAT Museum

Yesterday was an amazing day at the Natural History Museum at Balboa Park as we explored the Chocolate exhibit.  From the moment we entered the dark brown world, we were enchanted by the rich, chocolate fragrance that permeated the entire exhibit.  We were about to study biology, ecology, anthropology, history, economics, and current events- all in one delightful tour!  This is homeschooling at it's finest (I know I've said that before). 

First, we looked at the cacao tree, that grows in tropical climates within canopy rainforests where it is shaded by taller trees and mulched by other forest floor plants.  We saw the midge, a teeny weeny little insect that pollinates the cacao.  We learned that monkeys and other animals help disperse the seeds as they eat the pulp, leaving the seeds to discard which end up growing in new locations.

 Then we moved into the history of the cacao and the roll this dynamic plant played in the world beginning with the Ancient Maya.  As early as 250b.c., the Maya made a spicy drink from the cacao and traded the beans. 

 As we progressed through time, we saw the cacao played an important roll with the Aztecs trade empire in the 1400's b.c.  It was traded throughout Mesoamerica which is a region and cultural area in the Americas, extending approximately from central Mexico to Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.

Of great interest to us, is the impact of cacao on the slave trade in the 1600's as we are not only exploring slavery but also reading a historical fiction book, I, Juan de Pareja.  This is a story about a black slave in Spain during the 17th century.  He recounts having tasted, 'a wonderful, frothy drink from the Americas',  provided to him by his mistress as a reward.

Our studies also include Spain because my children have a significant amount of Spanish blood so it is relevant to focus on Spanish history.  Interestingly, Spain (Spanish explores traveling to the Americas), played an important role in introducing Europe to cacao. 

Introducing SUGAR to CACAO!  Now we are getting to the chocolate we know...the sweet stuff.  Someone decided to add sugar, a genius concoction was created.

 We can see here how not only the demand for cacao increased the numbers put into slavery, but also the demand for sugar fueled the trade even more especially in early America.

 Chocolate plays a significant role in the economies of many countries.  Africa is the number 1 producer of cacao and Switzerland is the number 1 consumer, by the way. 

 We have the GROWERS, who grow and harvest the pods.

 Then we have the international TRADERS who move or distribute the seeds all over the world to be processed for consumption.

 Just like any other agricultural product, prices fluctuate with the supply and demand.

 Now for the fun stuff...making chocolate.

So we have learned many things about cacao's histroy, now it is time to look at the future.  Rainforests are in jeopardy of being destroyed if cacao growers don't adhere to a sustainable plan for growing.

 There are many ways cacao can be grown that will actually help the world.

Finally, we have arrived at the happy ending, the largest box of chocolates we have ever seen!  Three dimensions of scrumptious! Off to the Gaslamp for a hot fudge sundae at Ghiardelli.