Who Brought Chocolate to Europe? Discover the History

Learn how Hernán Cortés introduced chocolate to Europe in the 16th century and its evolution into a beloved treat.

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Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador, is credited with bringing chocolate to Europe in the early 16th century. Upon his return from the Americas, he introduced the Aztec cocoa beans to Spain, where it later evolved into the popular chocolate drink enjoyed across Europe.

FAQs & Answers

  1. What year did Hernán Cortés bring chocolate to Europe? Hernán Cortés is credited with bringing chocolate to Europe in the early 16th century, around 1528.
  2. How did chocolate change in Europe? In Europe, chocolate evolved from a bitter beverage made with cocoa beans to the sweetened chocolates we enjoy today.
  3. What were Aztec chocolate drinks like? The Aztecs consumed chocolate as a spicy drink, often flavored with vanilla and chili peppers, which was vastly different from modern sweet chocolate.
  4. Who else played a role in the spread of chocolate in Europe? After Cortés, other figures like the Spanish court and later French and Italian nobility helped popularize chocolate across Europe.