Cacao is the plant from which chocolate is made. The cacao tree is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America.
The Maya civilization flourished in Mesoamerica, and they were the first to cultivate cacao and use it in religious ceremonies and as a form of currency.
The Aztecs inherited the love for chocolate from the Maya and considered it a divine gift. They consumed it as a bitter beverage called xocoatl and believed it had mystical properties.
During European exploration, chocolate was introduced to the Old World. It underwent transformations, such as the addition of sugar and milk, to suit European tastes.
Hersheys is a famous American chocolate brand founded by Milton S. Hershey. It revolutionized the chocolate industry with its mass production techniques and affordable prices.
Milton S. Hershey was an entrepreneur and philanthropist who founded the Hershey Chocolate Company. He built a model town, Hershey, Pennsylvania, for his employees.