💠Think About...
**Historical Facts:**
• Aztecs believed chocolate was a gift from the god Quetzalcoatl and called it 'food of the gods'
• Cacao beans were so valuable they were used as money - a turkey cost 100 beans!
• Original Aztec chocolate was spicy and bitter, nothing like our sweet chocolate today
• Spanish conquistadors brought chocolate to Europe in the 1500s where sugar was added
**Discussion Questions:**
- Why do you think the Aztecs considered chocolate sacred and used it in religious ceremonies?
- How did indigenous foods like chocolate, corn, and tomatoes change cooking around the world?
**Activity:** First 5 minutes: learn about Aztec civilization and sacred foods, 30 minutes: make traditional spicy chocolate drink using ancient Aztec recipe, 10 minutes: taste the bitter chocolate and compare to modern chocolate while discussing indigenous food contributions
🔨 Your Project
**Today's Recipe: Aztec Sacred Chocolate Drink (Xocolatl)**
**Ingredients:**
- 2 cups water
- 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp honey (optional)
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of chili powder
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of allspice
**Steps:**
- **Heat water** - Bring water to gentle boil in saucepan
- **Whisk cocoa** - Add cocoa powder slowly, whisking constantly to prevent lumps
- **Add spices** - Stir in cinnamon, chili powder, and allspice
- **Simmer** - Cook on low heat 5 minutes, stirring frequently
- **Sweeten lightly** - Add honey if desired (Aztecs used no sweetener!)
- **Add vanilla** - Stir in vanilla for authentic flavor
- **Froth traditionally** - Pour between cups to create foam like Aztec priests did
- **Serve warm** - Drink ceremonially like Aztec royalty!
**Cultural Connection:** This 500-year-old recipe was drunk by Aztec Emperor Montezuma and considered sacred medicine!