The history of chocolate in Mexico in the palm of your hands 

Activity included in your admission to the park and in your stay at Hoteles Xcaret

From the cocoa bean to the chocolate bar, this workshop takes you hand-in-hand through the history of this ancestral fruit while you learn not only the theory but also the practice of the art of chocolate creation in Mexico.

With the passing of time, artisanal chocolate making has become a Mexican tradition that’s been passed from generation to generation, and today you’ll learn how our ancestors made it.

Can you imagine what it's like to make your own chocolate from scratch?

At Xcaret Park’s chocolate workshop you’ll learn how to make an artisan chocolate bar. Keep reading to discover more about this experience.

A bit of history to start with

At the beginning of the workshop you’ll hear the chocolatier tell you about the ancestral legend of the origin of cocoa in our country.

In short, the legend says that the god Quetzalcoatl brought to earth a cocoa seed and asked for it to be planted so that the rain would make it grow and give fruits that would feed the whole civilization. It was so valuable that it was used as currency because it was considered a symbol of wealth and abundance. It was even said that cocoa seeds were the food of the gods, and for this reason it was considered a sacred fruit.

In addition, you can learn how this seed reached other countries and how it has evolved over time, adding new ingredients and conquering the palates of millions of people around the world.

This is just a small part of the stories shared by the workshop’s chocolatier, you should definitely be there to hear them all yourself.

Let's get to work!

By this point, all your senses are immersed in the role of a true artisan chocolatier, and your first task will be to remove the shell of your cocoa beans. Remember that before reaching your hands, they have to go through a period of drying and roasting, so you will need a lot of patience to remove only the shell and keep the beans whole.

It is said that in ancient civilizations, this whole process was assigned only to women, because it was believed that they had the delicacy and patience to do it correctly.

Here comes the most challenging part of the whole experience, but without a doubt, the most fun. Once you've peeled all your cocoa beans, you'll get to the part you've been waiting for. Ready to make your own chocolate bar?

You’ll use a large, curved instrument called metate and a long, thick one called metlapil. Both are made of black stone and have been used in Mexico since ancient cultures to grind corn, cocoa, and other vegetables.

Here are some tips if this is your first time using a metate:

1. Find a comfortable position

Using this instrument requires strength in arms and abdomen to grind the cocoa beans in a repetitive up-and-down movement, dragging the metlapil along the curved part of the metate. Some say it is very similar to accelerating on a motorcycle.

I recommend finding a position in which it is easy for you to exert your strength, it can be kneeling, sitting cross-legged, sitting on your feet, or in whatever way suits you best.

2. Be patient

Once you’ve started, the process may seem a bit long and tedious, but it is all a matter of patience. Keep in mind that it is an artisanal practice and it takes time, but the more attentive you are to your movements, the more you will do them naturally and it will become easier and even faster.

3. Take little breaks

You can probably feel a little pain in your arms and hands, so you can stop a little to stretch, change position, and move your fingers, but be careful!  It is very important that you don’t take too long to grind your cocoa beans again, because the mass that is being formed may dry out and it will take longer to recover its consistency.

Finally, remember to enjoy the process and keep in mind that the reward will be delicious and all your effort will be worth it.

It's time to add your special touch

Once you have your cocoa mass with a good consistency, the workshop’s chocolatier will indicate the flavors you can choose from for your chocolate bar. They can be the original Mexican flavors, such as chili and achiote, or some international flavors such as cinnamon and pepper, among others.

After integrating the ingredients very well to your cocoa mass, you will be given the option to choose the amount of sugar you want to add depending on whether you want your chocolate to be sweet, semi-bitter, or bitter.

Let's taste your chocolate!

Finally, you will have to make a small ball with your dough and you will be able to shape your chocolate. That's it! You’ll have an authentic and delicious artisan chocolate bar made with your own hands.

How can I participate in the Xcaret park’s chocolate workshop?

The first thing you should know is that your general admission to the park includes this workshop at no additional cost. However, as space is limited, it is important to be there at least 10 minutes before the workshop starts in order to secure a place.

To check the schedule, you can do it in three ways:

1.- Download the Xcaret app here to check available times.

2.- When you arrive at the park, ask the staff for more details.

3.- Go directly to where the chocolate workshop takes place and check the schedules posted outside.

If you are a guest of any of the Hoteles Xcaret, remember that your stay is All-Fun Inclusive, so you can also attend the chocolate workshop at no additional cost.

People say it's always better to try something for yourself than to hear about it, but when it includes tasting something delicious, you can't miss it! So now you know what to do on your next visit to Xcaret park. Live incredible experiences and learn about Mexican culture in this and all the workshops they have for you.