1513, A Slave is Bought for Beans: Hernando de Oviedo y Valdez, who went to

America in 1513 as a member of Pedrarias Avila's expedition, reports that he bought a

slave for 100 cocoa beans. According to Hernando de Oviedo y Valdez 10 cocoa beans
bought the services of a prostitute, and 4 cocoa beans got you a rabbit for dinner.
At this time, the name of the drink changed to Chocolatl from the Mayan word xocoatl
[chocolate] and the Aztec word for water, or warm liquid.
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1609, Chocolate is Lauded in Literature: The first book devoted entirely to chocolate,
"Libro en el cual se trata del chocolate," came from Mexico.
1615, Chocolate Comes With the Dowery: Ann of Austria, daughter of Philip II from
Spain, introduced the beverage to her new husband, Louis the XIII, and his French
court, too.
1670, One Man Takes a Stand: Helmsman Pedro Bravo do los Camerinos decides that
he has had enough of Christian voyages of exploration and settles in the Philippines,
where he spends the rest of his life planting cocoa, thus laying the foundations for one
of the great plantations of that time.
1671, All Troubles Have a Silver Lining: Sometimes people just don’t see it…this time
creativity prevailed! As the story goes, a bowlful of almonds is dropped, and the angry
chef tries to "box the ears" of his kitchen boy… but instead he spills a pan full of hot,
burnt sugar over the almonds. Meanwhile the renowned gourmet, Duke of Plesslis-
Praslin, is waiting for his dessert!
His personal chef turns anger in to creative energy, and serves the Duke almonds
coated of cooled burnt sugar. The Duke is not only delighted… he is also inspired to
give his name to this nouveau sweet. Today we call this confection "praline," but there is
no doubt of the origin!
1677, Brazil Gets into The Market: By Royal Decree, November 1, 1677, Brazil [later
to achieve an important position in the world market] establishes its first cocoa
plantations in the State of Par .
1697, The mayor of Zurich, visits Brussels: Heinrich Escher, mayor of Zurich, drinks
chocolate in Brussels and introduces the awe-inspiring concoction to his friends at
home… nothing he has ever tasted is even slightly like this brew!
1704, The Germans Impose a Tax on Chocolate: Chocolate makes its appearance in
Germany, and Frederick I of Prussia reacts by imposing a tax. Anyone wishing to pay
homage to its pleasures has to pay two thalers for a permit.
1720, Coffee Houses Propagate Trendy Chocolate: Italian Chocolatiers from
Florence and Venus, now well versed in the art of making chocolate, are welcomed to
France, Germany and Switzerland.
1730, Hand Methods of Manufacture Gave Way to Mass Production: The transition
was hastened by the advent of a perfected steam engine, which mechanized the cocoa
grinding process. By 1730, chocolate had dropped in price from three dollars or more
per pound to within financial reach of all.
1747, Frederick III of Prussia forbids hawking: Especially the hawking of chocolate!
In fact, Frederick prohibited chocolate in his realm. In where Chocolate flourished, It’s
high price ensured that only the wealthy could indulge.
1755, America Discovers Chocolate: Diligently forging the concept of Democracy,
Americans take time out to discovers Chocolate.
1765, First Chocolate Factory In the USA: The production of chocolate proceeded at
a faster pace than anywhere else in the world. It was in pre-Revolutionary New
England.