I can still remember the ancient city like it was yesterday. Walking down the cobblestone roads, passing through the narrow alleys of Modica.

While socializing with locals, you will notice a Spanish vitality in their language and food. Modica has been around since the 8th century BC and was ruled by the Greeks, Romans, Arabs, and the Spanish at different times throughout its’ history. This has contributed to Modica’s rich culinary heritage.

Modica is known for its chocolate. The technique was brought over by the Spaniards in the 16th century and mirrors the ancient Aztecs recipe which means the chocolate is made directly from cacao beans with no butter, cream, or any other additives.

Chocolate was originally used by the Aztecs for three main purposes; as a medicine, preservative, and to add bitter flavoring to dishes. It also served as currency and a status symbol amongst the wealthy elite. This is because the cacao plant was an import from the new world, making chocolate almost impossible to come by if you didn't have a direct connection.

When I tasted the roasted cacao bean I was instantly transported back to the moment when I was a child, trying dark chocolate for the first time. The lack of sweetness deterred me from finishing the bean itself.

The cacao beans are roasted and ground to create a “cacao mass”. Then the cacao mass is heated and melted down to create the chocolate foundation. Once melted into the foundation, it is mixed with raw sugar and any additional ingredients desired such as cinnamon, coffee, or red wine. Then you allow the mixture to set. The magic of chocolate is as simple as that.