Originating in Mexico, chocolate was one of the great findings of Hernan Cortes. According to the indians it was the God Quetzalcoatl who taught them to domesticate it. They used it in the preparation of several drinks such a the chocolatl ( cacao seed, chile, pepper, hazelnuts and cooked corn flour), and in their rituals as an offering to their gods. The cacao seeds were much valued by the Mexicas, so much so that it was used as an item for bartering. From Mexico it was taken to Spain and from there to the rest of Europe. Its industrialization in Mexico took time as people preferred the old home-style preparation, however, today there is a strong industry going.