Today is National Cocoa Day and it’s even cool enough in the panhandle of Florida to enjoy a cup. I hope you will join me in a toast to the Mayan people (yes, the same ones with the inaccurate calendar) who created the first chocolate drink. They passed this on to the Aztecs who made it an integral part of their culture in the 1400s. Europeans discovered it when they came to the new world. They took it back to the continent with them and only the wealthiest of people could afford to drink it since it was quite expensive. The Aztecs even used cocoa beans for currency.
Thank goodness cocoa became more affordable. Can you imagine life without it? *gasp*
Do you know the difference in hot cocoa and hot chocolate? Hot cocoa uses cocoa powder and sugar and hot chocolate uses melted chocolate.
I hear that hot cocoa can settle upset stomachs and aid in digestion. It also has antioxidants that can help prevent cancer and can have a positive effect on your arteries’ health. So, what are you doing still sitting here? Where’s your cocoa? I’m headed toward the kitchen myself.
Jillian Chantal 
Yummm I love a cup of hot cocoa or chocolate as I get the packaged stuff but the really good kind. Interesting facts about this special drink and the cocoa itself.
By: Lavada Dee on December 13, 2013
at 12:12 pm
Thanks Lavada. I love cocoa and chocolate. The hot chocolate they make in the UK is my daughter in law’s favorite but it’s super thick and a bit rich for me for a whole cup
By: Jillian Chantal on December 13, 2013
at 1:45 pm
I’m drinking hot coffee, but boy YUM! Hot cocoa sounds really good right now. We had frost here this morning.
By: Flossie Benton Rogers on December 13, 2013
at 1:00 pm
Wow! Frost? We didn’t even have that. Cool- literally cool! Brr..
By: Jillian Chantal on December 13, 2013
at 1:44 pm
Life without cocoa? NOOOOOOO!!!!! And dark chocolate in moderation is supposed to be great health-wise. So I “force” myself to eat a little…now and then. 🙂
By: Laurie Ryan on December 13, 2013
at 11:25 pm
I’m so glad you force yourself to eat some, Laurie as I want you around for a while. Stay healthy, eat and drink cocoa and chocolate.
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By: Jillian Chantal on December 14, 2013
at 7:59 am