From Bean to Bar

It was viciously hot and that afternoon, in the peak of the heat, about 28°C, we stopped at a chocolate shop called La Guelaguetza. Guelaguetza means gift or mutual offering, which is rather appropriate for chocolate. The shop’s owner was Maria Teresa Nunez de Gomez, an elegant, sophisticated lady with a deep olive complexion. Her thick black hair was immaculately sleeked back behind her head and tied with a wide black bow. She had huge brown eyes and a smile to match. The spotlessly clean shop specialised in all things chocolate - but chocolate for the traditional Mexican drink rather than for eating - although it is exceedingly edible.