The first people to cultivate cocoa beans were the pre-Hispanic civilizations that used to reside in what we know today as Mexico. Cocoa beans were originally prepared as a beverage, which only nobles were privileged enough to drink since the product was a symbol of wealth and power. Cocoa beans were also used as a form of currency.

Columbus discovered cocoa beans and took them back to Spain, but it wasn't until 1528 that Cortez introduced the recipe for making the beverage “xocoatl” to the Old Continent. Sugar was added to the beverage and later introduced to the other European countries. In 1828 Van Houton, a Dutch man, patented a method that involved pressing cocoa liquor to obtain cocoa powder and butter. Van Houton also began investigating the alkalinization process to add color and flavor to cocoa powder.

From the plant ... To the powder...

This is how it happens. . .