Hello, I'm a specialist in the history of food and beverages. Let's dive into the fascinating history of chocolate.

Chocolate has a rich and ancient history, dating back more than 3,000 years to the Olmec civilization in what is now Mexico. The cacao tree, from which chocolate is derived, was highly valued by the ancient Mesoamerican cultures, including the Mayans and Aztecs.

Originally, chocolate was not consumed as a sweet treat but rather as a bitter drink. The cacao beans were fermented, dried, roasted, and then ground into a paste to create a frothy beverage. This chocolate beverage was often spicy and bitter, and it was believed to have stimulating and medicinal properties.

The Mayans and Aztecs also used cacao beans as a form of currency due to their value. It was not until the Spanish conquest of the Americas that chocolate was introduced to Europe. The Spanish sweetened the drink with sugar and it eventually evolved into the sweet chocolate confections we enjoy today.

So, to sum up, **chocolate was originally used as a bitter, spicy drink believed to have stimulating and medicinal properties**.

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Vanilla and/or chilli were also used as an ingredient in the drinks. Cocoa beans were also used as a currency and as a tribute (tax) from peoples ruled by Aztecs. The oily layer floating in the chocolate drink (cocoa butter) was used to protect the skin against the sun.read more >>