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Cacao: The Currency That Built an Empire
Description
Before chocolate became a sweet treat, it was money. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the role of cacao beans as currency in Aztec society. They discuss how cacao was harvested, processed, and used for everyday purchases from food to brides, touching on the tribute system, the cacao drink enjoyed by nobles, and what happened when Cortés and his men encountered this strange 'brown gold.' They also look at how the Spanish adapted cacao for their own use, adding sugar and vanilla to create the forerunner of modern chocolate. The episode draws on sources like the Florentine Codex and Bernal Díaz del Castillo's account to bring this rich history to life. A donation appeal seamlessly weaves in: just as cacao was a medium of exchange for the Aztecs, listener support keeps this ad-free podcast going.