You may know of some chocolate lovers, or even be one yourself. Chocolate is a well-known treat enjoyed by many all over the world, used as an ingredient or a snack all in itself, it is safe to say you have most likely come across chocolate at some point in your life. However, for some, chocolate is more than just a sweet snack. For people like Maricel Presilla, the author of “The New Taste of Chocolate,” and her family, chocolate was, and continues to be a way of life. She emphasized through her passion and fascination with chocolate, in all of its forms, the importance of having knowledge of the history of chocolate. From when she was first introduced to the seed, which didn’t resemble the chocolate she knew and loved, her fascination sprouted and continued growing. Her father’s family farmed and transformed the plant into chocolate, using it for far more than just snacking. In her book, she states, “Later I would always remember that I belonged to those who live with cacao and know it personally, as a tree, a fruit, an ordinary household preparation.”[1]
Further on in life, Presilla found herself working as a marketing consultant for Chocolate El Rey where she was able to share her knowledge and love of chocolate with others.“I wanted them to understand the many factors – genetic, chemical, environmental – that determine the quality of chocolate at all stages, from the fertilized flower to the foil-wrapped bar.”[2]She established the idea that a love for chocolate can go further than just including it in your diet, but can land you a job, or become a part of your lifestyle as it did for Presilla and her family. Presilla emphasized the importance of truly understanding the origins of chocolate when indulging in the sweet, in order to get the full experience chocolate has to offer.
[1]Maricel Presilla, The New Taste of Chocolate(New York: Ten Speed Press, 2009), 3.
[2]Presilla, The New Taste of Chocolate, 5.
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