Cacao Currency: People in ‘this’ culture used ‘cocoa beans’ as currency; You will surely be amazed to read this interesting history

• The unique history of chocolate
• More precious than gold
• A tool for everyday use

Ancient Maya and Aztec cocoa beans money : Today, we use cocoa or chocolate only to provide lip smacking or as a gift to someone. But there was a time in human history when cocoa beans symbolized your bank balance. Yes, as strange as it sounds to read, it is true. Cocoa beans were used as official currency in the ancient Maya and Aztec cultures. So let’s know the interesting history behind this ‘sweet’ currency.

Holy Gift of the Gods: Why Gained So Much Importance?

Cacao was not just a fruit to the ancient Mesoamericans. According to their religious beliefs, the god ‘Quetzalcoatl’ (Quetzalcoatl) gifted mankind with the cacao plant. Because of this, cacao was called the ‘food of the gods’ (Theobroma Cacao). An object which is directly associated with God automatically increases its value in society. Drinking cocoa beverages during rituals, royal weddings, and religious ceremonies was considered a sign of prestige. It is because of this spiritual significance that cocoa gained currency status.

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Rarity and geographic limitations

The value of any commodity depends on its availability. Cocoa trees do not grow everywhere. They require a specific tropical climate, plenty of rain and shade. Cacao was grown only in a limited area of ​​Mesoamerica. The economic equation of high demand and low supply made cocoa beans extremely valuable. Those who owned cocoa plantations were considered to be the richest people of that time.

A practical and sustainable currency

There were also practical reasons for using cocoa beans as currency. These beans could last for years without spoiling after being dried. They were light in weight, easy to carry from one place to another and easy to count. More importantly, this currency was hard to destroy and was directly consumable. That is, if you had cocoa beans, you could spend them or make a drink out of them.

‘In cultures across #Mesoamerica cacao was not only intimately associated with women but also with marriage and betrothal agreements… Codex Tonindeye shows foaming chocolate being given by Lady 13-Snake to her groom, ruler 8-Deer, to bind their wedding in 1501′ #carolinepennock pic.twitter.com/NfgwPHlEpk

— Mexicolore (@Mexicolor) June 5, 2024

credit – social media and Twitter

Market Rate: How much is a rabbit worth?

In these ancient cultures, cocoa beans were used in almost every transaction of daily life. According to old historical records, the market prices of those times were something like:

• A small pumpkin: 4 cocoa beans
• A rabbit: 10 cocoa beans
• One turkey (bird): 100 cocoa beans
• Daily wage of laborer: 10 to 20 cocoa beans

Not only this, Maya rulers used to collect cocoa beans from their subjects as ‘Tax’. These beans were stored in the treasury, used in times of war or for large trade.

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A beautiful blend of nature and economics

This journey of cocoa beans teaches us that human civilization has always made the precious things of nature the basis of our economy. Even though today we live in a world of digital currency, once upon a time this tiny seed sprouting in the bosom of nature was deciding the fate of the world. This ancient ‘chocolate currency’ is still a subject of curiosity for historians and economists.