Cocoa tree

Originating in the humid tropical forests of central America, the cocoa tree was named 'Theobrama' (food of the gods) by Linné, an allusion to its traditional use, sacred to the Pre-Colombian people (the Aztecs and Mayas). Afterwards, cocoa beans served as money in central America and were used to pay taxes. In 1527, Hernan Cortes introduced them to the Spanish court. In 1615, princess Anne of Austria, the Spanish Infanta, married Louis XIII, bringing chocolate with her for the French court to discover. Producing chocolate is a long and complicated process. Once dried, the beans become a cocoa paste which contains cocoa butter and dry cocoa solids, the precious matter of cocoa powder.