Drink Hot Chocolate with us!
It is that time of where chocolate in shiny metallic wrappers are decking the halls of every grocery store. Unwrapping a new chocolate every morning from your advent calendar or indulging in your favourite holiday chocolate by the fire has a nostalgic component that is hard to compare. It is a point of enjoyment that humans have taken part in for centuries dating back to the ancient Mayans. Chocolate is a hallmark of the dessert menu in countless countries and it continues to be a treat we look forward to in its various forms. But, when we investigate the global impact of chocolate, it leaves a sour taste in our mouths.
To explain this, let's time travel way back in time to the era of the Aztecs when cacao (found hanging off of cacao trees in pods) were viewed as gifts from the gods. Mayans enjoyed it just as we do today; the kick of caffeine and the flexibility to have it hot or cold form had them delighting in the treats. They also considered cacao beans to be a form of currency. It was even viewed to be more valuable than gold. A prominent chocolate lover was Aztec ruler Montezuma II who supposedly drank gallons of chocolate daily to increase his energy and as an aphrodisiac.
Let's fast forward to the late 1500s when European explorers (such as those from France and Italy) visited Central America. It didn’t take long for Europe to board the chocolate bandwagon. Europeans made their own recipes for hot chocolate that incorporated cane sugar, cinnamon among other spices.
Thereafter, the chocolate industry exploded and became a staple of our cheat days. This was, unfortunately, when things turned sour. With this heightened demand around the world, it created an industry that has been known for its low-wage labour, child labour, chopping down rainforests and high carbon footprints. Particularly when taking into account how huge this industry is, the social, economic and environmental hits are massive.
Now, we are not writing this to ruin a good thing in your life; chocolate is great, and there are ways to consume it without contributing to these issues. Look for stickers like ‘Fair Trade’ or ‘Rainforest Alliance’ or ‘Fair For Life’ on your chocolate bar indicating that it has been regulated. MbgLifestyle.com has some 2021 chocolate recommendations so you can enjoy chocolate like the Aztecs without supporting some serious problems.
Enjoy some hot chocolate, hot apple cider (and other treats) plus win some great giveaways and discounts when you join us at our grand opening on Dec 18th from 10am-3pm!
Address: #2-18 Doctors Lane, King City Ontario, Canada
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