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Jan 1, 600
Beginning of Cacao
Mayas moved from Guatemala to Yacatan Peninsula and brought the cacao bean with them. In Guatemala, they established plantations to grow cacao -
Jan 1, 1000
First Cacao Uses
People in Central America began using cacao beans as money. They also made a bitter drink used to treat coughs and fevers. -
Jan 1, 1200
Aztec's First Uses
The Aztecs began their rule in Mexico and demanded tax pay with cacao beans. They also used it for a drink, adding flowers, vanilla, and honey to it. -
Jan 1, 1502
Christopher Colombus tries chocolate
Colombus was given his first drink of chocolate. He took some of the cacao beans back to his homeland. -
Jan 1, 1519
Hernan Cortez takes over
Hernan Cortez came from Cuba to find fortune. Him and his men fought the Aztec. He captured Montezuma, the Aztec emperor and began to rule the empire. He recognized the value of the cacao beans to the Aztecs. He established a cacao plantion in the name of Spain. -
Jan 1, 1528
Cortez returns to Spain
Hernan Cortez took cacao beans back to Spain. He hid them in the Spanish monasteries and kept the formula for making chocolate a secret. -
First Real Shipment of Cacao Beans
The first comercially grown shipment of cacao beans was taken to Spain. -
Chocolate Goes to France
Louis XIII of France's wife took the chocolate drink making custom to France. -
Chocolate House
The first Chocolate House was opened in England. Only the rich could afford to buy it there. -
Chocolate Drink Gets Bigger
Louis XIV of France's wife shares her love of chocolate with her people. This is the first time people outside of the royal court can enjoy a chocolate drink. -
Pralines
Pralines are created in Genensburg, Germany. -
Solid Chocolate
The first solid chocolate is sold in a London coffeehouse. -
Chocolate to Vienna
Charles VI takes chocolate from Spain to Vienna. -
Chocolate in Florence and Venice
Italians begin serving chocolate in Florence and Venice. -
Easier Way of Making Chocolate
Monsieur Dubuisson creates a table for grinding chocolate. It is heated underneath by charcoal and makes the production much easier. -
Chocolate Company
The Baker Chocolate Company was established in Massachusetts by James Baker and John Hannon. This was the first time chocolate was made in the US. -
Machine Chocolate
In Barcelona, the first chocolate made by machine was produced. -
Baker's Chocolate
"Baker's Chocolate" is what Dr. James Baker calls his products. -
Steam Power
J.S. Fry & Sons used steam power to grind the cacao beans for the first time. -
Swiss Chocolate Factory
Francois-Cailler returned from Italy and established the first SWiss chocolate making factory in Corsier. -
John Cadbury
John Cadbury tried to convince drinking chocolate was healthier than alcohol. He opened tea and coffee shop in Birmingham, England. -
Hydraulic Power
Coenraad Van Houten invented a hydraulic pressed used to make cacao powder. -
Cailler's Plant
Cailler opens a large plant in Corsier, Switzerland. -
Second Chocolate Factory
Cailler opened a second chocolate factory in Switzerland.