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The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.
  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman, together with her husband, wraps chocolate balls made of raw cacao paste into cacao tree leaves in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman rolls the raw cacao paste with hands into balls, used for hot chocolate preparation, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman roasts cacao beans on a clay plate over fire in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman cracks the roasted cacao beans, using a traditional stone pestle, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman shakes a winnowing bowl, tossing the crushed cacao beans into the air and catching them as they fall back to separate lighter outer shells from the cacao seeds, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman rolls the raw cacao paste with hands into balls, used for hot chocolate preparation, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A cacao pod is seen growing on a cacao tree in a traditional mixed cropping plantation near Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 6 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman plucks leaves from a cacao tree for wrapping freshly made chocolate balls in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A Mexican man grinds panela (unrefined cane sugar) on a metate (a mealing stone) in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • Chocolate balls, made of raw cacao paste, are seen placed on a tray before wrapping into cacao tree leaves in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman roasts cacao beans on a clay plate over fire in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • Freshly roasted cacao beans, with a stone pestle for cracking on the top, are seen deposited in a bowl in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman throws crushed cacao beans from a pot into a bowl for winnowing in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman shakes a winnowing bowl, tossing the crushed cacao beans into the air and catching them as they fall back to separate lighter outer shells from the cacao seeds, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman wraps a chocolate ball made of raw cacao paste into a cacao tree leaf in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman inspects dried and washed cacao beans before roasting in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A fresh cacao liquor flows out of a grinder machine in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A Mexican man adds cinnamon into crushed cacao beans (cacao nibs) before the grinding process in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman kneads the raw cacao paste before rolling out chocolate balls in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman cracks the roasted cacao beans, using a traditional stone pestle, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman inspects dried cacao beans before washing and roasting in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman rolls the raw cacao paste with hands into balls, used for hot chocolate preparation, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • Chocolate balls, made of raw cacao paste, are seen placed on a tray before wrapping into cacao tree leaves in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman wraps a chocolate ball made of raw cacao paste into a cacao tree leaf in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman, together with her husband, wrap chocolate balls made of raw cacao paste into cacao tree leaves in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A Mexican man adds cinnamon into crushed cacao beans (cacao nibs) before the grinding process in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A fresh cacao liquor flows out of a grinder machine in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman washes dried cacao beans in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A grinder machine, loaded with crushed cacao beans (cacao nibs) mixed with cinnamon, is seen working in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman inspects dried and washed cacao beans before roasting in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman rolls the raw cacao paste with hands into balls, used for hot chocolate preparation, in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • Coarsely crushed cacao beans are seen deposited in a bowl in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman inspects dried and washed cacao beans before roasting in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A winnowing bowl, full of crushed cacao beans tossed into the air to separate lighter outer shells from the cacao seeds, is seen being shaked in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • A Mexican man grinds panela (unrefined cane sugar) on a metate (a mealing stone) in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.

  • An Amuzgo indigenous woman wraps a chocolate ball made of raw cacao paste into a cacao tree leaf in artisanal chocolate manufacture in Xochistlahuaca, Guerrero, Mexico, 5 November 2021. The craft of chocolate making in Mesoamerica, where the cacao tree is native, may be traced back to pre-Hispanic times. The form of how the Olmecs, the Mayas, and then the Aztecs used to process cacao beans and drink a cacao beverage has not changed significantly. In the rural areas of Southern Mexico, the indigenous communities still maintain, with a minimal contribution of the modern era’s tools, the ancient tradition of hand-crafted chocolate alive.