The University of West Georgia has held many exciting events this semester at the Z-6. On Jan. 31,  hot chocolate was served during lunchtime. There was a hot chocolate bar nestled near the drink machines on the far side of the cafeteria. The bar consisted of hot chocolate, marshmallows, and chocolate sticks.

“I like [hot chocolate] because, in my opinion, it’s a good drink for a very cold night,” said junior Patrick Michaleson.

Chocolate comes from the cacao tree. The word cacao comes from the Mayan word kakaw and the Aztec word cacahuatl, both meaning “bitter water.” During the time of the Mayans and Aztecs, hot chocolate was cold and served plain. There was no milk, sugar, whipped cream or marshmallows.

According to www.mahalo.com, hot chocolate was discovered by Hernando Cortez. He brought it to Europe in the 1500’s. The drink was consumed cold with wine, chili peppers and no sugar. After it was introduced in Spain, the drink began to be served hot, sweetened and no chili peppers. The Mayans created the first hot chocolate drink 2000 years ago and it became very important to Aztec culture by 1400 A.D.

Hot chocolate is now a world phenomenon and is enjoyed by people all over the world.  Sometimes Americans tend to confuse hot chocolate with hot cocoa and they are not the same thing. Hot cocoa is made from cocoa powder but hot chocolate has the cocoa butter added back in and includes the sugar according to an online source. It is made directly from the chocolate bar and melted into a liquid.

The cocoa is lower in fat; however the chocolate has antioxidants, which makes it better for your health. Research shows that cocoa beans reduce indigestion and consuming chocolate is a positive way to avoid anger and bad attitudes. Chocolate has phenyl ethylamine which is a chemical that is known to improve your mood. It is also rich in magnesium and iron. Chocolate is a natural anti depressant and helps prevent cancer and heart disease. In the nineteenth century, the drink was used for medicine to cure sicknesses like stomach diseases.

Today there are many ways people all over the world make their hot chocolate. In North America, hot chocolate is instant, made with cocoa powder, sugar and dry milk. The people of Mexico also like the instant packets but they make their drinks from hard semi sweet chocolate and milk with cinnamon and vanilla added. Some people like to mix their hot chocolate with sugar, salt, eggs, honey, coffee and dried red chili pepper. Europe serves their hot chocolate much thicker than they do in America. This is because they make their drinks directly from the chocolate.  It has to be eaten with a spoon in Italy because it is more like a pudding than a drink.

“Hot chocolate is the perfect amends to a cold or long, stressful day. The vibrant color and aroma warms my soul,” said senior Marcie Renfroe.

The hot chocolate bar was enjoyed by many students and the Z-6 has many more events to offer this semester including Valentine’s Day Lunch, Fat Tuesday and Caribbean Night.