3000 BC - Indians of the Central American tribes (Incas, Aztecs, Mayans and Toltecs), according to folklore myth, were given a bean from the Winged God, Quetzalcoatl. The beans were crushed by means of a mortar/pestle style grinding and added to a corn mash called CHOCOATL. ("Choco" - meaning "bitter" and "atl" - meaning "water") Quetzalcoatl became intoxicated and set out on a raft to get sober; he awoke quite upset to be drifting in the sea and hand bound. He avowed his revenge.

1513 - Hernando Cortez, Spanish Explorer, arrived in the Mayan court of Montezuma. The Mayan felt this was Quetzalcoatl and showered him with treasures; one being the cacao nib and chocoalt.

1513-
1600 - Chocolate drink recipe was held by Spanish courts and entrusted to monks who dwelled in the Basque section of Spain and Pyrenee Mountains of France and Spain.

1601 - Louis XIII married Anne of Austria, Daughter of Philip of Spain; chocolate drink was introduced into French courts.

1630 - During reign of Charles II, the first chocolate house opened in Bishopgate Street in London. Due to its increasing popularity, high taxes were imposed on the beverage - a cup would cost $1.20 based on today's standards.

1650 - First chocolate drink producing factory opened in Bristol, England.