Description:
The chocolate family includes cacao beans, chocolate, and chocolate products. The cacao tree is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. The beans were used by the Maya and Aztec cultures as currency and were highly prized for their flavor and color. The Dutch were the first Europeans to discover and cultivate the cacao tree. The first chocolate was made in Europe in the 1500s. Today, the chocolate industry is a major global economic force, with annual sales of more than $60 billion. There are many variations of chocolate, including dark, milk, white, and flavored varieties. Chocolate is often enjoyed as a snack, dessert, or drink.
