History of Chocolate

The origins of chocolate can be traced back to the ancient Mayan and Aztec civilisations in Central America. 'Theobromo cacao', meaning 'food of the gods', was prized for centuries by the Central American Mayan Indians, who first enjoyed a much-prized spicy drink called 'chocolatl', made from roasted cocoa beans.
The Aztecs introduced cocoa to the Spaniards, who took it back to Europe in the 16th century. However it was very expensive, so only the rich could afford it. Chocolate was exclusively for drinking until the early Victorian times when a technique for making solid 'eating' chocolate was devised.