Tit 
EARLY USE OF COCOA AND CHOCOLATE 
HE name “‘chocolate’”’ is nearly the same in most European 
fli languages, and is taken from the Mexican name of the drink, 
'“ chocolatl,”’ or “‘ cacahuatl.’’? Adis common enough in Mexi- 
can words, and is known to signify water. What the first part of the 
word means is not so clear. A French writer says it signifies noise, 
and that the drink was so named because it was beaten to a froth 
before being drunk. ; 
The Spaniards found chocolate in common use among the Mexicans 
at the time of the invasion under Cortez, in 1519, and it was introduced. 
into Spain immediately after. The Mexicans not only used chocolate 
as a Staple article of food, but they used the seeds of the cacao treg as 
a medium of exchange. An early writer says: ‘‘In certain provinces 
called Guatimala and Soconusco there is growing’a great store of 
cacao, which is a berry like unto an almond. It is the best merchan- 
dise that is in all the Indies. The Indians» make drink of it, and 
in like manner meat to eat. It goeth currently for money in any. 
market, or fair, and may buy flesh, fish, bread or cheese, or other 
things.”’ 
Cocoa passed as currency among the natives of Central and South 
America, at the time of the European conquest, and that despite 
a plentiful supply of gold. Joseph Acosta, in 1610, tells us the 
Indians used ‘‘ none of their gold or silver for traffic in or by withall 
and unto this day the custom continues among them that instead of 
money they use cocoa.’ The Aztecs of ancient Mexico also used 
‘Ceocoa’’? as small change, as many as 8,000 beans being counted 
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