The document discusses the history and importance of chocolate in human civilization. It details how chocolate originated from cacao plants domesticated by the Olmecs and Mayans as early as 1100 BC. Cacao beans were used as currency and their preparation into a drink was an important cultural and religious ritual among Mesoamerican civilizations. The Spanish conquest introduced chocolate to Europe in the 16th century, where it became a popular beverage among the elite before its global spread.
