The Mayas were the first to use the cocoa beans picked from the trees they were growing.

At the beginning of the 16th C., chocolate was brought Into Europe by the Spanish. Charles V was one of the first to enjoy chocolate tasting.
In France, the first chocolate shop was created during the reign of Louis XIV. The first chocolate bar appeared at the beginning of the 19th C.
Since then, interest in chocolate has never waned.

Also see : links -  chocolate ingredients

• history of chocolate