Take a trip back in time and discover the history of chocolate and cocoa...

		The Mayan, Aztec, and Toltec civilizations made a ceremonial drink from the cacao bean. The bean was also used as currency.

		Christopher Columbus (Cristobal Colòn) brings cacao beans back to the Court of King Ferdinard and Queen Isabella of Spain. The court was unimpressed with these beans that looked like almonds.

		The Spanish conqueror Hemán Cortez observes the Aztec Indians drinking chocolatl or "warm liquid". This bitter drink made from cacao beans is the royal drink of the Aztec court and the Emperor Montezuma supposedly drinks 50 cups a day for strength, health and virility. It was served to his guests in golden goblets.

		The grandees of Spain add cinnamon and vanilla to chocolatl, and serve it hot. They cleverly plant cacao trees in their equatorial colonies. They keep it secret from other countries for almost a hundred years.

		The drink reaches Italy and becomes popular in the French court following the marriage of the Spanish princess Maria Theresa to Louis XIV in 1660. Spanish monks finally spill the beans and chocolate soon becomes known as a health food throughout Europe.

		An enterprising Frenchman opens a shop in London selling solid chocolate to be made into a chocolate drink. Chocolate shops and cafes soon appear in Amsterdam and then throughout Europe. Cacao is re-dubbed "cocoa."

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