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