| Chocolate has its origins in the Mayan civilisation of | | | | to become the source of chocolate and cocoa as we |
| Yucotan. The cocoa tree is believed to have been | | | | know it today. |
| discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforests | | | | The Spanish Conquistador Cortez recognised a |
| of the Americas. The Azetecs of Mexico are known | | | | possible commercial value of cocoa as a drink, and |
| to have believed in the mystical origin of the cocoa | | | | introduced the cocoa bean to Europe, but the |
| tree, they cultivated the crop, and began consuming | | | | Europeans found it bitter, so cane sugar was added |
| the cocoa beans as a unique recipe called 'chocolat.' | | | | to sweeten it. |
| The beans looked like almonds, so at first the | | | | It is thought that travellers introduced cocoa to the |
| Spanish invaders showed little interest, but they were | | | | 'New World' of North America in the 1500's. |