Though today we think of chocolate as a sweet treat, it was originally use to make a thick drink spiced with chili peppers. The beans were used like money and used to purchased other items.

It is believed that Christopher Columbus brought the bean back to Europe in the early 1500s, but since no one really knew what to do with it, it was ignored. However, upon conquering the Aztecs, Hernando Cortez brought the bean and the recipe for the chocolate drink back to Spain. It was here that those spicy ingredients were discarded and sugar and vanilla were added making that sweet concoction we all love today. But it wasn't until 100 years later that the rest of Europe was introduced to this beverage and cocoa beans. The people of the 17th century either adored this drink or felt it was the drink of the devil.

The sweet chocolate beverage was only enjoyed by the wealthy when it was first introduced, but by the 19th century cocoa plantations sprouted up reducing the prices and making the beverage available to everyone. Special chocolate drinking cups, saucers and pots were made (like today's coffee sets and tea sets).

Magically around 1830 solid eating chocolate was developed by J. S. Fry and Sons, a British chocolate maker. Then the Swiss added milk in 1870 (milk chocolate is one of the most popular types of chocolate today).

What is your favorite type of chocolate?