Woven among the threads of ancient Aztec legend lies the story of Sephra, an enchanting
goddess whose beauty could be described only as the richness of the dark earth combined
with the luster and glow of pure gold. Her voice was softer than the most delicate flower, and
her presence carried the aroma of sweet cocoa. It was Sephra who gave the ancient Aztecs the
precious gift of the cocoa tree.
The legend reveals that the spirit of Sephra nourished the cocoa trees and lived within the
priceless beans they produced. The Aztec kings named the cocoa tree "Theobroma Cacao,"
meaning "food of the gods." So valuable were cocoa beans that they were used to pay tribute
to royalty and were given as sacred offerings to the gods.
Montezuma, the ruler of the wealthy Aztec Empire, was so enchanted by Sephra that he
commissioned an elite force of skilled artisans and master craftsmen to construct a temple in
her honor. As a special offering to the goddess, Montezuma built a magnificent fountain in the
highest room of the temple and filled it with glistening spring water, which flowed from
beneath its walls. He then surrounded the fountain with a splendid array of the most perfect
cocoa beans, in hopes that Sephra would continue to bless the people with the unique and
valuable crop.
So pleased was Sephra with Montezuma's gift that she came to him in a dream and told him
that her spirit would always live in the fountain he had given her. Moments later, Montezuma
awoke to the sweet smell of cocoa lingering in the air. The aroma led him to the upper room of
the temple where Sephra's fountain stood. To his astonishment, the fountain no longer flowed
with water, but with the richest, purest chocolate . . . this was truly a gift from the gods . . .
For centuries, Sephra's fountain remained hidden beneath the ruins of the ancient Aztec
temple, waiting to be discovered. At long last it was, and with it was unveiled the secret of the
pure, rich chocolate once coveted by gods and kings . . .
The Legend of Sephra
The Legend of Sephra
The Legend of Sephra
The Legend of Sephra