1500 BC-400 BC ­ The Olmec Indians were believed to be the first to grow Cacao Trees

250-900 AD ­ Cocoa beans could only be consumed my Mayan societies elite. They used it in a form of cocoa drink

600 AD ­ Mayans establish Cacao Tree plantations in South America

13th century ­ The Aztecs attribute the creation of chocolate to their god Quetzalcoatl

14th century ­ The chocolate drink becomes popular with the Aztecs

1492 ­ Columbus first ran into the mysterious cacao bean

1519 ­ Cortes documented the consumption of the cocoa drink by Emperor Montezuma

1528 ­ Cortes presents the Spanish King, Charles V with cacao beans

16th century ­ Spanish begin adding sugar and flavorings to their chocolate beverages

1609 ­ The first book devoted to chocolate was written

1657 ­ The first chocolate house opened in London

1674 ­ People first began eating solid chocolate

1677 ­ Brazil establishes its first Cacao plantations

1732 ­ French inventor Monsieur Dubuisson invented a table mill for grinding chocolate

1753 ­ Carolus Linnaeus renamed cocoa to Theobroma, which means food of the gods in Greek

1765 ­ Chocolate is first introduced to the United States

1795 ­ Dr. Joseph Fry used a steam engine for grinding his cocoa beans. This paved way for the first large factory production.

1828 ­ Conrad Van Houten invented the cocoa press. This helped lower the price of chocolate

1847 ­ Joseph Fry and Son created the first modern chocolate bar

1876 ­ Daniel Peter invented the first milk chocolate bar

1900’s ­ The Ivory Coast start their first cacao plantations