History of Cocoa

Cocoa was discovered 2,000 years ago in the tropical rainforests of South America. It was the local Mesoamerican discovery of using cocoa beans to concoct into a beverage which was later being processed to become a sweet indulgence throughout the world.

It was the ancient cultures of Mexico and Central America that brewed the chocolate beverage with roasted and ground cocoa seeds, seasoned with spices, chili, honey or musk. The Mayans and Aztecs named the brew xocoatl: probably a combination of the word xoco (bitter) and otl (water).

In 1519, Spanish explorer Hernan Cortés conquered Mexico and the Spanish began learning about the delicious flavour of chocolate. Fascinated by the bitter beverage, Cortés introduced it to the Spanish court of King Charles V in 1528.

The Spaniards changed the way the chocolate drink was prepared and flavoured. A new beverage, enriched with sweetener and vanilla. A new beverage, enriched with sweeter and milder European flavourings emerged. This new drink seeped through Spain and quickly become popular, although it remained strictly confined to the royalties.

The chocolate drink was so precious that it was kept a secret for almost a hundred years till 1615, when Anne of Austria, eldest daughter of Philip III of Spain, married Louis XIII of France, did it travel to France, Italy and England. The arrival of chocolate coincided with the appearance of other hot beverages, coffee from the Middle East and tea from China. But only chocolate continued to maintain such delicate combination of traits: exclusive, erotic, deliciously sinful yet healthy and nutritious.

In time to come, news of this delicious chocolate treat spread through Europe and around the world.

With modern technologies and craving for these luscious chocolates, chocolate manufacturing has evolved leap and bound. Chocolate manufacturing has become a blend of art and science, thanks to trade and technology, the seemingly humble cocoa seeds and chocolate are now part of the most valued commodity in the global market economy.