Cacao trade

Definition

The cacao trade refers to the exchange and commercialization of cacao beans, which are the primary ingredient for chocolate. In Mesoamerican civilizations, cacao was highly valued not just as food, but also as a currency and a sacred offering in rituals. The trade of cacao played a significant role in the economies and social practices of the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations, highlighting its importance in their cultures.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cacao was considered so valuable by the Maya that they used cacao beans as a form of currency for trade and tribute.
2. The Aztecs created a frothy drink from cacao mixed with spices and served it to nobility, which reflected its status as a luxury item.
3. Rituals involving cacao included religious ceremonies where it was offered to gods, showcasing its spiritual significance in Mesoamerican cultures.
4. The Olmecs are believed to be one of the first civilizations to cultivate cacao around 1500 BCE, making them pioneers in cacao trade.
5. Trade routes for cacao extended across Mesoamerica, allowing various cultures to exchange goods and ideas related to cacao production and consumption.

Review Questions

• How did the value of cacao beans influence trade practices among Mesoamerican civilizations?
  • Cacao beans were highly valued in Mesoamerican societies and were used not only as a food source but also as currency. This made them an integral part of trade practices among civilizations like the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec. The high demand for cacao led to extensive trading networks where these beans were exchanged for other goods, contributing to economic growth and social interactions between different cultures.
• Discuss the significance of cacao in religious practices within Mesoamerican civilizations.
  • Cacao held significant religious importance in Mesoamerican cultures. It was often used in rituals as an offering to deities, symbolizing its sacred status. For instance, during important ceremonies, both the Maya and Aztecs would prepare ceremonial drinks made from cacao for religious leaders and participants, underscoring its role in connecting the divine with earthly matters.
• Evaluate the impact of cacao trade on social hierarchies within the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec societies.
  • The cacao trade significantly influenced social hierarchies in Mesoamerican civilizations. Since cacao was associated with wealth and luxury, those who controlled its trade often gained considerable power and status. Elite classes were able to consume chocolate drinks at ceremonies while using cacao beans for transactions further entrenched social divides. The distribution of cacao contributed to the establishment of trade networks that reinforced these hierarchies, as access to cacao often indicated one’s social standing.

Related terms

Cacao beans: The dried and fully fermented seeds of the cacao tree, which are processed to produce chocolate and were used as currency and in beverages in Mesoamerican cultures.

Mesoamerica: A historical region that extends from central Mexico to northern Central America, characterized by shared cultural traits and advanced civilizations, including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec.

Chocolate: A food product made from roasted and ground cacao beans, often sweetened and flavored, that was consumed as a drink by ancient Mesoamericans and later became popular worldwide.