From Currency to Craft Chocolate: The Fascinating History of Cacao
When we think of chocolate today, we picture sweet treats, creamy bars, and indulgent desserts. But centuries ago, cacao played a very different and surprisingly practical role. Long before chocolate became the delicious treat we enjoy today, cacao beans were used as currency.
Cacao: More Valuable Than Gold?
Among the ancient Maya (around 250–900 AD) and later the Aztecs (1300s–1500s), cacao beans weren’t just food; they were a form of wealth and trade. These Mesoamerican cultures valued cacao so highly that it was used in markets, religious rituals, and as tribute to rulers. To them, cacao represented status, wealth, and spiritual power.
Everyday Purchases... in Beans
Cacao beans functioned much like coins. According to historical records, everyday transactions looked something like this:
- One turkey = 100 cacao beans
- One avocado = 3 beans
- One tamale = just 1 bean
Cacao was used to pay taxes, buy clothing, and settle debts. Imagine doing your grocery shopping with a pouch full of cacao beans!
A Very Different Kind of Chocolate
This early version of chocolate looked nothing like modern artisan chocolate or Thai craft chocolate bars. It was typically consumed as a bitter, spiced drink, served cold and mixed with chili, water, or cornmeal. Without sugar or milk, it had an earthy, robust flavor and was often reserved for warriors, nobility, and sacred ceremonies. It was believed to provide energy, strength, and even spiritual clarity.
The Spanish Encounter
When Spanish explorers arrived in the Americas in the 1500s, they were intrigued by this “bean currency.” They quickly learned that cacao was deeply woven into daily life and cultural identity. The Spanish brought it back to Europe, where it was sweetened with sugar and enriched with milk, transforming cacao into the sweet chocolate we enjoy today.
From Currency to Craft Chocolate
At Siamaya Chocolate, we’re inspired by cacao’s extraordinary journey from ancient currency to modern, handcrafted chocolate. As bean-to-bar chocolate makers based in Chiang Mai, Thailand, we honor this history by transforming direct trade, pesticide-free Thai cacao beans into chocolate bars infused with bold, locally inspired flavors.
This World Chocolate Day, as you enjoy your favorite Siamaya chocolate bar, take a moment to honor cacao’s roots. From Mesoamerica to modern Thai craft chocolate, it’s a story of culture, connection, and creativity. We're proud to continue that story with every bar we make.
Explore our full range of Thai chocolate here: https://siamayachocolate.com/collections/all
