Do you that chocolate was once used as a currency?  

Ever traded your chocolate with something from your friend that you desperately want? Guess, we all have done it! But do you know that chocolate was officially used as a currency to buy things in ancient civilisations? Curious to know more? Read on! 

It all started with cocoa beans 
Before we dive into the currency story, let’s take a look into the brief history of chocolate. The history of chocolate began somewhere in Mesoamerica in 1900 BC. Confused about where that is? Well, Mesoamerica comprised the modern-day countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, central to southern Mexico and northern Costa Rica among others. For thousands of years, this whole area was populated by different ethnic groups such as the Maya and Aztec people among others. Aztecs bought cocoa beans from Mayans, as they believed that they were the gift of Quetzalcoatl, the God of wisdom.  

A bitter beverage  
But what did the Aztecs do with cocoa beans? They turned rye beans into liquid chocolate. Like hot chocolate? Nah, it wasn’t a sweet concoction back then. They consumed it as a bitter drink, a frothy liquid mixed with corn puree and spices. This drink, they believed, had aphrodisiac powers and made the drinker strong. 

Chocolate as currency  
With time, the Aztecs began to dominate Mesoamerica. They had an intense craving for cocoa beans, but unfortunately could not grow the beans in their area. The cocoa tree grows in soil that is constantly moist and demands 90% humidity. Only certain areas of the Maya homeland could produce the beans in large amounts. Therefore, Aztecs were forced to rely on the Mayans.  

As you know, any product in short supply becomes reserved for luxury. The same thing happened here too. The Aztec empire only allowed the emperor, elites and warriors to consume cocoa brews. The non-elite population was discouraged from consuming cocoa. Solidifying chocolate was the symbol of power and wealth.  

In fact, the Aztecs required all areas under the empire that grew cocoa to pay the rulers beans as tribute or taxes. This exchange between the empire and its colonies established cocoa as a currency and they were used to make any kind of purchase ranging from clothes, food, and even services. 

Transition to sweet delights!  
When Spanish conquistadors arrived, cocoa was the main medium of transaction in the empire. As their conquest advanced and they came into power, the Spanish assumed control of both the production and trade of cocoa beans by setting up its plantations and taxing both its production and trade.  

But they did not really appreciate the bitter taste of chocolate. Since the production was now in their hands, they sweetened it and the revised cocoa concoction came to be liked for its taste and stimulation. However, it still retained its symbolism as an indication of power, wealth and luxury in Spain.  

From luxury to a mass commodity  
So what led to the change in its status from luxury to a mass commodity as it is today? Well, the invention of the steam engine allowed mass production of cocoa beans during the late 17th century. With increasing mechanisation, different types of machines became available for producing more types of chocolate. Consequently, the price of chocolate dropped in the 1890 and 1900s increasing accessibility to the general population. Its consumption by the masses increased in Spain and the rest of Europe and that led to making it a consumable commodity erasing its identity as a currency.