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200
Chocolate Originated
Cocoa is said to have originated in the Amazon during this time. -
300
First Cocoa Plantations
The Mayans cultivated the first cocoa plantations. The cocoa pod symbolized fertility and life. Carvings from temple walls indicate cocoa pods were often part of ceremonial and religious beliefs. They refer cocoa as being the "god's food". -
Jan 1, 1200
Aztecs' Beliefs
The Aztecs believed the first cocoa plant was created by Quetzalcoatl who came from heaven on the morning star. As the Aztecs didn't know about sugar, other spices were used. Mostly spices like chilli to flavour the drink as it was a little bitter. During this time, cocoa beans were used for currency as they valued the plant so much. -
Jan 1, 1492
Columbus Discovered Cocoa Beans
Columbus brings back a few beans to present to the King and Queen. However, they were mostly ignored amongst all the other wonderful array of goods that were brought back. -
Jan 1, 1519
Cocoa was Sold
Money does indeed grow on trees... Hernando Cortez cultivates the first commercial cocoa crop. Whilst not particularly interested in the drink of cocoa, Hernando sees the "value" of harvesting the beans. -
Jan 1, 1528
Add Sugar
Hernando Cortez again sees the benefit of the cocoa bean and surmises that it might taste a little better if sugar cane was added. Vanilla pods, flowers, cinnamon and other spices were used also. This blending was regarded as a success! Because of the high cost of cocoa, it was still a luxury which only the rich could afford. -
Europian Chocolate Craze
Chocolate houses spring up all over Europe. During this mass craze for the drink and the increase in growers, cocoa bean prices drop. The invention of a steam engine helps with the grinding of the beans and speeds up manufacturing. -
First U.S. Chocalate Factory
The first chocolate making factory in the USA. -
Chocolate Industry
Chocolate becomes an Industry on it's own. -
Cocoa Press Was Invented
The cocoa press was invented. This further reduced the price of chocolate. The press made it possible to squeeze out some of the bitter cocoa butter and therefore inproved the consistancy of the drink. -
First Solid Chocolate
J. S. Fry and Sons developed the first solid eating chocolate. -
Conching Invented
Rodolphe Lindt develops the "conching" technique. The rollers in this machine look like Conch shells, hence the name. The technique makes the chocolate a smoother and finer texture. This process is still in use today. -
Flavor in the Middle
The technique for filling chocolate with flavoured centers was developed by Jules Sechaud of Switzerland. -
Chocolate Rations
World War II -- chocolate is included as part of a soldier's rations. Today, chocolate is taken into space by the NASA astronauts.
