February is National Chocolate Month and holds one of our most chocolate-dependent holidays. From a colonial-era health tonic to an aphrodisiac, from a drink of the Gods to everyone’s favorite treat, chocolate has had many faces. Its roots are thousands of years deep in South and Central America, and chocolate has been held as spiritually, ceremonially, emotionally, physically, and economically important for many empires and their cultures across continents. Boston, as a significant port city and place of trade, has had its part in this history. You’ve probably heard of the Boston Tea Party, but did you know that hot chocolate’s role in the pre-Revolutionary Boston and protest was just as crucial? And Boston played an important role in chocolate’s history, at least here in the U.S. This fun talk will look at how the Aztecs and colonial Bostonians prepared chocolate, how it has journeyed from everyone’s every meal, everyday beverage, to a treat of the most elite, and back to being accessible to everyone. And even a glimpse at some of the treats and trends in local chocolate making.