Answers: (put at bottom of page)
1. True. The Olmec culture was the first great civilization
of Mesoamerica, and was very influential on later societies,
such as the Maya and the Aztec. It is present day Mexico.
2. True. It takes 400 cocoa beans to make one pound of
chocolate.
3. False. The Latin name for the cacao tree, Theobroma
cacao, means "food of the gods."
4. True. It was bitter, and mixed with peppers.
5. False. Easter is when the most chocolate is usually sold.
True or false?
1. The cacao tree was native
to what is now Mexico.
2. Chocolate is made from
the fruit for the cacao tree.
3. The Latin name for Cacao
tree, Theobroma cacao,
means "sweet food."
4. Chocolate was served
as a drink for thousands of
years.
5. Valentine's Day is the
holiday when the most
chocolate is sold in the United
States?
Other facts:
• While 35% of chocolate
production takes place in
Europe, the United States
produces almost 30%.
• Hershey's is the largest
chocolate producer in the
United States, while New
York City is home to many
famous chocolate shops.
• Switzerland started
making chocolate in the 17th
century and the Swiss are
the largest consumers of
chocolate per capita.
• Belgium is one of the
largest producers and much
of the chocolate is still made
largely by hand.
•Two-thirds of the cocoa
used in making chocolate is
from West Africa.
• M&Ms were created in
1941 as a means for soldiers
to enjoy chocolate without it
melting.
Of f icialKidsMag.com • FEBRUARY 2020 • 9
