The origin of chocolate dates back almost 4000 years ago in Mesoamerica, the exact origin in the Americas is unknown, but archaeological evidence of ceramic vessels with residues from the preparation of cocoa beverages have been found at archaeological sites dating back to the Mokaya and Olmec Civilisations along the Orinoco river.
1000 BC - The Trees Earliest Known Name
"Kakawa," came into use among the Olmec, the people of the Mexican Gulf Coast who built the first of the great Mesoamerican civilizations. It is likely that the Olmec were also already cultivating the tree.
100 AD - The Word “Cocoa”
The Maya adopted the word "cocoa" from the Olmec and it is also presumed that they also were cultivating cocoa. Taking the Cocoa tree from the rainforest and growing it in their backyards, harvesting, roasting, and then grounding the seeds into a paste. When mixed with water, chilli peppers, cornmeal, and other ingredients, this paste made a foamy, spicy chocolate drink.
