Read more cacao stories on Newserhttp://www.newser.com/taggrid/32092/cacao.html2009 - Newseren-usNewser Feed GeneratorTue, 24 Nov 2009 11:26:07 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/64951/broke-try-paying-like-our-ancestors-with-shells-beans.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagSure, the global economy might collapse spectacularly and send us all back to a barter system. But that’s inefficient, Greg Sabin writes on Mental Floss, and “almost all civilizations have come up with currencies.” A sampling of what might be in your wallet next week: Shells: "From China to Africa...http://www.newser.com/story/64951/broke-try-paying-like-our-ancestors-with-shells-beans.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagTue, 21 Jul 2009 14:43:01 CDThttp://www.newser.com/story/49845/solution-to-11th-century-mystery-hot-chocolate.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagPatricia Crown, an anthropologist at the University of New Mexico, spent years puzzling over the round clay jars decorated with intricate zigzagging shapes, dating from the 11th century, found in Pueblo ruins in Chaco Canyon. But a scientific study led her to a surprising conclusion: they weren't drums or holders...http://www.newser.com/story/49845/solution-to-11th-century-mystery-hot-chocolate.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagWed, 04 Feb 2009 10:00:00 CSThttp://www.newser.com/story/30942/quest-on-for-chocolate-genome.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagCandy giant Mars is investing $10 million in a 5-year research project to unlock the secrets of chocolate's genetic code—the cocoa genome—as the first stage in developing cacao trees that can produce more, survive droughts, and combat disease. Mars intends to make the results public to stop key...http://www.newser.com/story/30942/quest-on-for-chocolate-genome.html?utm_source=syn&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tagThu, 26 Jun 2008 6:44:39 CDT