Food Journey February 13, 2025

Ecuador / Cacao

The delicious chocolate bars, hot cocoa and moles of today would never have come about without the fatty seed from the Theoboma Cocao tree.  Traces of cacao found on pottery in Ecuador suggest that the plant was consumed by humans as early as 5,000 years ago. The tree was likely domesticated in the upper Amazon region and then spread northward. It was widely cultivated more than 3,000 years ago by the Maya, Toltec, and Aztec peoples, who prepared a beverage from the bean (sometimes using it as a ceremonial drink) and also used the bean as a currency.

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Locro de Papa – Potato and Cheese Soup with Avocado

Ecuadorian Pork Hornado

Llapingachos

Rice

Aji Chili Sauce

Crunchy Salad

Chocolate Dipped Orejas