Definition of chocolate

The word "chocolate" originates from the Nahuatl language, spoken by the Aztecs in Mexico. The Nahuatl word for chocolate is "xocolatl," which roughly translates to "bitter water." This term referred to the ancient Mesoamerican drink made from cacao beans, which were considered a luxury item. The Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived in Mexico in the 16th century and was introduced to xocolatl. He and his team took some cacao beans back to Spain, where it became a popular beverage among the elite. Over time, the Spanish modified the pronunciation to "chocolate," and the word spread to other languages. Today, we enjoy chocolate in many forms, from drinks to desserts, and the rich history of the cacao bean continues to delight our taste buds.