| The history of chocolate doesn't mention the | | | | Montezuma of Mexico. Cortez brought the |
| delicious confectionery's source until the | | | | treasured chocolate back to the royal court |
| ancient Mayan and Aztec cultures came upon | | | | of King Charles the Fifth. The King had Monks |
| and recognized the value of the cacao plant. | | | | that were hidden away in Spanish monasteries |
| Chocolate makers used the products of the | | | | process the cocoa beans and was able to keep |
| plant for currency and units of calculation. | | | | chocolate a secret for almost a century. This |
| The first cocoa plantations were said to have | | | | created a profitable industry for Spain who |
| been in northern South America where the | | | | then proceeded to plant cocoa trees in its |
| Mayans migrated in about 600 AD.Christopher | | | | overseas colonies.Finally, an Italian |
| Columbus reportedly brought the valuable | | | | traveler by the name of Antonio Carletti came |
| beans back to King Ferdinand after his fourth | | | | upon the valuable chocolate and introduced it |
| visit to the New World. These beans and their | | | | to other parts of Europe. The first chocolate |
| value were overlooked at the time in the | | | | house was reported to have been opened in |
| shadow of numerous other treasures Columbus | | | | 1657 in London by a Frenchman. Chocolate was |
| had found.The first notable recognition of | | | | considered to be a beverage strictly for the |
| chocolate was when Spanish explorer Hernando | | | | upper class and was priced accordingly. |
| Cortez attended the court of Emperor | | | | |