Mesoamericans discovered the cocoa tree more than 2,000 years ago, and chocolate has been popular ever since. The PBS video, part of a series on food science, iexamines cocoa trees, the history of the uses of cocoa, and how people make chocolate. It explains the health benefits of dark chocolate and high-tech science applied to the growth and development of this special treat.

Concepts

chocolate, cocoa, cardiovascular health, fermentation

Show More Show Less

Additional Tags

social studies

Show More Show Less

Instructional Ideas

• Research the benefits of dark chocolate
• Add new vocabulary to science journals

Classroom Considerations

• Resource allows for streaming or downloading as needed

Pros

• Educator Guide includes discussion questions and further resources
• Available in English and Spanish for ELLs

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.6.2 SL.7.2 SL.8.2 SL.9-10.2 SL.11-12.2 RST.6-8.4 RST.9-10.4 RST.11-12.4