Chocolate History Timeline By mubarak.8 1500 BCE Olmec Indians are believed to be the first to grow cocoa beans. 500 BCE The Olmec give much of their culture to the Maya, including Cocoa beans. Jan 1, 1492 Christopher Columbus is said to have brought back cacao beans to King Ferdinand Jan 1, 1606 Antonio Carletti, discovers chocolate in Spain and takes it to Italy where chocolate-mania develops. Jan 1, 1657 The first chocolate house is opened in London by a Frenchman. Jan 1, 1700 Drinking chocolate expands worldwide. Jan 1, 1819 First Swiss chocolate factory in Corsier, near Vevey. Jan 1, 1861 Richard Cadbury creates the first known heart-shaped candy box for Valentine’s Day. Jan 1, 1906 The first-known published recipe for chocolate brownies appears, in The Boston Cooking-School Jan 1, 1930 Nestlé makes first white chocolate, named Galak.
