The Cacao Museum: an ancestral memory

The Cacao Museum is the name of the place where a tradition dating back several centuries is kept. In Yucatán, the house of chocolate, the home of cacao, awaits the visit of new palates…

Hundreds of millions of people around the world enjoy cacao and other chocolate products, but few know its history.

If you’re going to live in Yucatán, it’s key to know that it played, and still plays, a very important role in the history of the region and the country.

Although cacao has appeared in different cultures around the world, within Maya culture archaeologists have found evidence of cacao-based foods dating back several thousand years.

The modern word “chocolate” comes from two Nahuatl words: xocolatl, which literally translates as “hot water”, and cacahuatl, which refers to a bitter drink made with cacao that was shared during pre-Hispanic religious ceremonies.

The cacao bean was so important to the cultures of our region that it was used as currency in trade, given to warriors as a reward after battle and served at royal feasts.

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Cacao seeds.

After the conquest, chocolate became very popular among the Spanish, who kept the production method secret from other Europeans for almost 100 years after its discovery.

Want to know more? Do you know what you’re doing this weekend in Mérida?

Put together your plan for a family Sunday in Mérida, visit the Cacao Museum and take a tour through the history of this fascinating fruit.

A different weekend in Mérida: visit the Cacao Museum

Living in Yucatán isn’t boring, and there’s always something to do. One option is to visit the Cacao Museum.

Located on Paseo Montejo, it’s an excellent place to start exploring the world of cacao and spend a family Sunday in Mérida.

At the Cacao Museum you can learn all about this fruit — from its cultivation to making products or its use in different kinds of beauty and health treatments.

You can also take a guided visit to the museum’s chocolate factory and buy exquisite products in its shop. Without doubt, a great option for kids to learn how chocolate is made. And for adults too, since it’s about spending a family Sunday in Mérida.

For the older members of the family, various cacao-based beauty treatments are available, ideal for relaxing and enjoying.

Presentation of the chocolate-making process.

The Cacao Museum is open every day of the week and visiting hours are from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Address: Paseo Montejo 490.

7 key facts about cacao

1. The Spanish added their own innovation: adding sugar and spices to sweeten the bitter cacao.

2. Today, more than 4.5 million tonnes of cacao beans are consumed worldwide each year, whether as drinks or as bars.

3. Africa, Indonesia and Vietnam produce almost 70 percent of world output; Mexico only 8 percent.

4. The cacao produced in the country is of very high quality, and it’s possible to move into other markets such as gourmet. Many of those plants are grown in Yucatán.

5. The cacao tree can be up to 6 metres tall and only grows in tropical areas.

6. The biggest producers are states like Tabasco, Guerrero and Chiapas.

7. Of the 28,000 tonnes produced annually, Yucatán contributes around 200 tonnes of fine cacao.

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