Chocolate originated in [[Mexico]] and was used by the Aztecs. A chocolate beverage called ''xocolatl'' (the Nahuatl source of the word ''cocoa'') that was the precursor to hot chocolate, but bitter and stronger, was a popular drink among them. [[Montezuma]] drank around 50 cups of this beverage a day, according to legend. Chocolate was spread to the [[Old World]] after [[Hernan Cortes]] conquered Mexico and traded cocoa beans to [[Europe]] in exchange for European goods as part of the [[Columbian exchange]]. The Spanish made it into the drink we know today, heating the drink and adding sugar. Soon, chocolate was extensively used in desserts and drinks. | Chocolate originated in [[Mexico]] and was used by the Aztecs. A chocolate beverage called ''xocolatl'' (the Nahuatl source of the word ''cocoa'') that was the precursor to hot chocolate, but bitter and stronger, was a popular drink among them. [[Montezuma]] drank around 50 cups of this beverage a day, according to legend. Chocolate was spread to the [[Old World]] after [[Hernan Cortes]] conquered Mexico and traded cocoa beans to [[Europe]] in exchange for European goods as part of the [[Columbian exchange]]. The Spanish made it into the drink we know today, heating the drink and adding sugar. Soon, chocolate was extensively used in desserts and drinks. |