Final Blog Post - Revised First Post

Plants as Currency: The Cacao Bean

 Over time, many different societies have used various mediums for currency. Some have been man-made products, while others can simply be found in nature. Through my research I found that cacao beans, or more commonly called cocoa beans, would be a good option. Not necessarily for the American society, but in areas that are not as technologically advanced. I’d like to briefly describe the history of this plant and then explain why it would be able to function as money.

            Cacao beans have been around for quite a long time. The earliest known were found in the Amazon over 4,000 years ago. The cocoa bean was very valuable to ancient Central and South American cultures, including the Aztecs and Mayans. When the beans were first introduced, they were consumed only by wealthy people because they held so much value. They believed that wisdom and power came from eating this special plant, and that it had qualities that were beneficial for one’s health. Different cultures used different parts of the cacao pod. Some would eat the whitish pulp, while others would just eat the seeds. In the beginning, the ancient cultures would grind up the cacao into a chocolate drink. Chocolate was not found in Europe until the 1500's, after which it was turned into a solid treat through a refining process.

            My reasoning for choosing the cocoa bean as a substitute for typical currency is because at one point in history it did have significant value to the groups of people who used it. The Aztecs were one of the first cultures to use the beans as money. They used the beans to make drinks but also for trade. This was around 200 A.D. They prized these beans because of their wonderful taste and believed health benefits. There are different records available that show the varying amounts of beans used to purchase goods. For example, ten cocoa beans would be enough to purchase a rabbit, while 100 would get you a slave.

            Although cocoa beans had value to historical societies, they can still be applied to currency in the present time. The beans would work especially well for underdeveloped countries because the substance is readily available in nature and it doesn’t have to go through a manufacturing process before being put into circulation. Countries without advanced technology would benefit from using a material that comes straight from their environment. They most likely do not have the ability to print paper money or manufacture metal coins. In addition, chocolate is always desirable and enjoyed by many. Even in today’s time people still value it because of its taste, even if they wouldn’t consider using it as currency. Over time, chocolate has become a world wide phenomenon. What better to use than something that everyone is familiar with and also enjoys?