The Aztec Cacao Bean: Currency and Culture in Tenochtitlan

from Tenochtitlan: The Aztec Capital That Shocked the Spanish — Fexingo History · host Fexingo

In Episode 169, Lucas and Luna explore the role of cacao beans as currency and sacred substance in the Aztec Empire. They discuss how the humble cacao bean functioned as money in the bustling market of Tlatelolco, its use in elite feasts and rituals, and the production of chocolātl — a frothy, spicy drink reserved for nobles and warriors. The episode also examines how cacao was traded across Mesoamerica, its connection to Quetzalcoatl, and how its value was measured against other goods like quachtli (cotton capes). Finally, they touch on the Spanish adoption of cacao and its transformation into the sweet chocolate known worldwide. #Tenochtitlan #Aztec #Cacao #Tlatelolco #Chocolatl #Mesoamerica #Nahuatl #Quetzalcoatl #Pochteca #Tlatoani #MoctezumaII #BernalDiaz #FlorentineCodex #Sahagun #Tianguis #AztecEconomy #History #FexingoHistory Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 22, 2026

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The Aztec Cacao Bean: Currency and Culture in Tenochtitlan

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