Lesson: The Ghost in the Attic Lesson Topic: Hot Cocoa: An Ancient Treat
Hot Cocoa: An Ancient Treat Written by Kari Herreman
Two cups of hot cocoa with a chocolate design look delicious. Most children enjoy a nice hot cup of cocoa during the winter. Hot chocolate is a staple of the holidays. This sweet treat has come a long way from its beginnings. Ancient people enjoyed hot cocoa as much as we do, but it tasted very different from what we know as hot chocolate now. Cocoa beans found in the ruins of a city from 1500 B.C. tell us that ancient people enjoyed this treat. Scientists who studied the ruins found evidence that these ancient people served the beans in hot water. They found other spices with the cocoa beans. Hot cocoa is likely the oldest warm treat in the world. People craved the bitter beans before they were even sweetened.
Cocoa bean pods grow in a forest.
The first hot cocoa drinks served by Mayan and Aztec people also tasted bitter. Native Americans brewed the beans with spices. They used them with chiles. They did not use sugar in their cocoa drinks. After the Spanish came to the Americas, they also drank their cocoa bitter. They served it cold.
Years later, English people added sugar. Only then did hot cocoa become a popular dessert drink. Kings and queens enjoyed the sweet treat after dinner. Rich families bought cocoa beans to treat their children. They even served the beans to their guests. As it was considered a delicacy, hot cocoa served as a sign of wealth. People even used cocoa beans as money!
The painting Chocolate Girl shows a European girl delivering hot cocoa in the 18th century. Ancient Mexicans used hot cocoa to treat illnesses. This practice eventually spread to Europe and America. George Washington believed in hot chocolate’s health benefits. He drank a spiced cup of cocoa every morning. People all over believed it had healing properties. They used it for stomach aches.
This cup of hot cocoa is sprinkled with spices, like nutmeg and cinnamon.
Cocoa beans do contain healthy properties. They help keep people well. Doctors even believe that cocoa beans help prevent cancer, though they are not exactly sure how it works. So not only does hot cocoa keep you warm and give you a sugar fix—you don’t have to feel guilty for gulping it down!
A scientist holds a handful of cocoa beans.
Question 1:
How does the most ancient hot cocoa compare to the hot cocoa we drink today?
People did not use warm water or spices with ancient cocoa.
Ancient hot cocoa was much sweeter than today's hot cocoa.
Ancient hot cocoa tasted more bitter than today's hot cocoa.
Hot cocoa is only used as medicine today, but in the past it was a treat. Question 2: What famous president believed that hot chocolate had health benefits?
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Barack Obama
Bill Clinton
Question 3: What is the main topic of this article?
why hot cocoa is the best hot treat
why ancient people enjoy hot cocoa
how hot cocoa became a treat
how cocoa beans can be used as medicine
Question 4:
Read these sentences.
Rich families bought cocoa beans to treat their children. They even served the beans to their guests. As it was considered a delicacy, hot cocoa served as a sign of wealth.
What does the word delicacy mean?
something pleasing to eat because it is a luxury
something made out of chocolate
something that tastes bitter
something very soft and fragile Question 5:
What is the connection between cocoa beans and cancer?
Doctors believe that cocoa beans cause cancer.
Doctors believe that cocoa beans contain cancer cells.
Doctors believe that cocoa beans help prevent cancer.
Doctors believe that cocoa beans help spread cancer.
Question 6:
Why do you think this article was entitled "Hot Cocoa: An Ancient Treat?"
It is about how ancient cultures used cocoa beans as money.
It is about how people can make medicine from cocoa beans.
It is about how hot cocoa is made.
It is about the history of hot cocoa.
Question 7:
How does the author try to get you involved in the article?
The author suggests that you give hot cocoa to people who have cancer.
The author suggests that you gulp down hot cocoa because it has health benefits.
The author suggests that you drink hot cocoa bitter like ancient cultures did long ago.
The author suggests that you use cocoa beans as money. Question 8:
What does this picture tell us about cocoa?
Cocoa comes from beans in the forest.
Cocoa is made in the forest.
Cocoa is not grown in the forest.
Cocoa can be many different colors.
Question 9: Why did George Washington drink a cup of cocoa every morning?
He believed in hot cocoa's health benefits.
He drank it to help prevent cancer and stomach aches.
He knew hot cocoa was a sign of wealth and wanted to show that he had lots of money.
He loved the sweet taste of cocoa in the morning! Question 10:
How is the hot cocoa that Peter and Alice drink in "The Ghost in the Attic" different from the hot cocoa ancient people used to drink?
Ancient people drank hot cocoa for its taste, while Peter and Alice drink their hot cocoa because it is healthy.
Ancient hot cocoa was served very hot, while Peter and Alice's hot cocoa is only a little bit warm.
Ancient people made hot cocoa from many different beans, but Peter and Alice's hot cocoa is made just from cocoa beans.
Ancient hot cocoa was very bitter and spicy, while Peter and Alice's hot cocoa is sweet.
Correct Answers
Lesson: The Ghost in the Attic Lesson Topic: Hot Cocoa: An Ancient Treat
Question 1: MC3
Question 2: MC2
Question 3: MC3
Question 4: MC1
Question 5: MC3
Question 6: MC4
Question 7: MC2
Question 8: MC1
Question 9: MC1
Question 10: MC4