A cocoa drink was an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD, by which they referred to as xocōlātl. The drink became popular in Europe after being introduced from Mexico in the New World and has undergone multiple changes since then.
Are Aztec and Mexican Hot Chocolate the Same Thing?
Short answer: yes and no.
While Aztec spicy chocolate is the more common term, this drink invariably originated in Mexico. Precise recipes and flavors will vary from region to region, but Aztec hot chocolate, Mayan hot chocolate, and Mexican hot chocolate all refer loosely to the same things: spicy drinking chocolate.
Both are likely referring to variations of the same basic recipe of cinnamon, cocoa, milk or water, and a spice or powdered chili of some kind.
The History of Aztec Hot Chocolate
While the Aztec civilization dominated northern and central Mexico prior to the Spanish conquest in the early 1500s, with the height of the Aztec reign stretching from around 1300 to 1550, many believe that Aztec chocolate has roots in the Mayan civilization that populated modern Mexico for centuries.
Either way, chocolate from ground cacao beans has been revered as a rich delicacy for generations – and we can largely thank the Mayan and Aztec civilizations for that.
The word “chocolate” comes from the Aztec word xocoatl. The Aztecs considered xocoatl and hot chocolate a sacred beverage, and it was often reserved for special ceremonies.
Chocolate was so valuable, in fact, that it was at one time used as a currency! Just as the Romans used salt as a currency, the Aztecs would trade with chocolate and use it as a symbol of status. They also considered cocoa a sacred elixir and thought it had mystical or magical properties that could bring them closer to the gods. We dont exactly know how, but spicing up hot chocolate with things like a cinnamon stick and some cayenne pepper became the norm. Some historians believe the Aztecs liked bold flavors, so the kick that the spicy tinge added was probably a bonus. It also makes their beverage stand out from other international variations.
After the Spanish arrived in the 1500s, xocoatl was imported to Europe and gradually became what we now know as chocolate.
Nowadays, Aztec hot chocolate can be made with chili pepper, oat milk, vanilla extract, chili powder, whipped cream, or any other combination of the basic ingredients.
Aztec Chocolate – Blood & Spice
FAQ
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