my chocolate

my chocolate

While all that was happening the next day, I took advantage of the Nanticuilli, which is like a class or a kind of modern lunch, the main meal of the day, in the daily life of the empire for anyone. After a long time, I managed to pronounce it correctly, and I tried to convince my parents to get some things, like cacao seeds. I wanted to take advantage of making sweet chocolate, although xocolatl can be sweetened, I would like to know if I can make modern sweet chocolate.

Excited, I introduced them to the subject: "Father, Mother, today I learned something fascinating about cacao! Did you know that with the seeds, you can make a delicious drink called xocolatl?"

Ahuzolt said, looking at me like I was a fool: "Yes, son, xocolatl is a drink we know well. It isn't enjoyable but highly valued by our people. Why are you so interested?"

I replied, inventing a story to convince them: "Because I have heard that in distant lands, beyond the great sea, foreigners have found a way to sweeten xocolatl! I would like to try making a sweet version here at home. It could be a novelty for all of us."

Tlilancapatl, my mother, looked at me with a strange look and some concern in her eyes. Maybe she was thinking I had been deceived: "Sweeten xocolatl? That sounds strange. We are not used to that. The cacao seeds, although not so valuable to us, cannot be wasted on your experiments. Who knows if that's true."

Cuauhtémoc: "I understand, Mother. But think of how incredible it would be. If we manage to make sweet chocolate, we could enjoy a new type of delicacy. I just need some cacao seeds and a few other ingredients to try."

My father interrupted me again: "It's not that simple, Cuauhtémoc. The resources you mention are precious besides cacao. What else do you need for this experiment?"

Rolling my eyes, I realized my father is indeed stingy and said: "I need some cacao seeds, a bit of honey to sweeten, and some vanilla pods. I would also need some cacao butter, although I know that's even harder to get."

My mother tried to persuade me to drop the idea: "We have honey and vanilla. But the cacao seeds... They're practically money. What if you fail and waste them?"

I realized I had to find another reason to convince them and leave me alone: "Mother, Father, I promise to be very careful. I have learned a lot about handling cacao, I think. Besides, you could lend me some cooks who know about it. If we succeed, we could have something new that nobles and warriors might appreciate. Just give me a chance, and I'd like to earn some money myself."

My father looked at me with some anger: "Hmm... I'm not convinced. Even if you want me to give you something, you're still too young." I saw my mother intervene, giving him a discreet elbow. It was a rather funny scene.

"But your determination is admirable, son. What do you think, wife?"

My mother pondered, but when she looked into my eyes, she gave in: "Cuauhtémoc has always been persistent. Maybe if we let him try, he'll realize the difficulty for himself. Besides, it doesn't seem like he'll stop until he tries. Even if it wastes some resources, it's not a grave impact on our finances."

"Very well, son. We'll give you some cacao seeds, but not many. Do your experiment, but remember, if you fail, you'll have wasted your future opportunities," said my father, the huey tlatoani, one of the richest people in the empire, even the world, being stingy with his son. What an irony.

"Thank you, Father! Thank you, Mother! You won't regret it. I'll be careful and do my best to create something we all enjoy," I said gratefully, relieved to have secured funds from my parents. Now, I just need to ask how it's done and start experimenting and selling.

"Alright, Cuauhtémoc. Go and take what you need. But remember, this is a privilege and a responsibility," my mother said. I understood, but I'll make sure everything goes well.

I then told them to reassure them: "I understand, Mother. I'll do everything possible not to disappoint you."

After all that, I went to the kitchen to start. I was dying of excitement to eat sweet chocolate again. As I walked, I asked my system how modern chocolate is made and what materials I would need. Although it cost me a day of life, the information was worth it since it's about a product.

_ Of course, here is the process of making chocolate, a complex process involving several stages from the cacao harvest to the preparation of the chocolate we consume. Here is the process:

**Harvesting the cacao**:

 - The cacao pods, called mazorcas, are harvested when they are ripe.

 - The pods are opened to extract the cacao seeds, which are surrounded by a white pulp.

**Fermentation**:

 - The cacao seeds and pulp are placed in fermentation boxes.

 - Fermentation lasts between 2 and 8 days and is crucial for developing the cacao's flavor.

 - During this process, the seeds change color and begin to acquire their characteristic flavor.

**Drying**:

 - After fermentation, the cacao seeds are dried in the sun for several days.

 - This process reduces the moisture in the seeds, preventing further fermentation and mold.

**Roasting**:

 - The dried seeds are roasted at different temperatures depending on the type of chocolate to be produced.

 - Roasting intensifies the cacao flavor and facilitates the separation of the shell from the seed.

**Crushing and winnowing**:

 - The roasted seeds are broken to separate the shells from the cacao nibs.

 - The nibs are ground to obtain a paste called cacao liquor, a mixture of cacao solids and cacao butter.

**Conching**:

 - The cacao liquor is subjected to the conching process, where it is mixed and stirred at a controlled temperature for several hours or even days.

 - This process improves the texture and flavor of the chocolate.

**Tempering**:

 - The chocolate is tempered by heating and cooling it to precise temperatures to stabilize the cacao butter crystals.

 - Tempering ensures that the chocolate has an attractive shine and a crisp texture. -

When I saw that there were seven steps to make it, I considered it would be laborious, but fortunately, I will have assistants.

I then contacted the cooks who knew how to make xocolatl so they already had some knowledge and wouldn't start from scratch. Although initially reluctant to follow me, after all, even though I am a prince, I am still a two-year-old child. But with my mother's permission, I showed them that they had already authorized me. After getting the materials, I started.

Although skeptical about the process I told them, and they accepted. After all, they had nothing to lose.