The Aztec Empire

The Aztecs were an ancient nomadic people who founded a great city in the Valley of Mexico in 1325: Tenochtitlan. In 1521 this prosperous city and its culture were destroyed by the Spanish, who later rebuilt it and renamed it Mexico City.

'Chocolate' (in the form of a luxury drink) was consumed in large quantities by the Aztecs: the drink was described as 'finely ground, soft, foamy, reddish, bitter with chilli water, aromatic flowers, vanilla and wild bee honey'.

The dry climate meant the Aztecs were unable to grow cocoa trees, and had to obtain supplies of cocoa beans from 'tribute' or trade. ('Tribute' was a form of taxation paid by provinces conquered by the Aztecs in wars.)

By the time the Spanish invaded Mexico in the 16th century, the Aztecs had created a powerful empire, and their armies conquered Mexico. Tributes in the form of food, cloth and luxury items such as cocoa beans flowed into Tenochtitlan. The Aztecs were superstitious: they had many gods and believed that their world was constantly threatened by catastrophe. One god, Quetzalcoatl, creator god and provider of agriculture, was particularly associated with cocoa beans. Great temples were built to honour him in Tenochtitlan; Moctezuma, Emperor of Mexico and ruler of the Aztecs in the early 16th century particularly revered him.

Quetzalcoatl is further linked with the story of cocoa and chocolate. An old Mexican Indian myth explains that he was forced to leave the country by a chief god, but was lovingly remembered by his devoted worshippers, who hoped he would return. Until then they still had his legacy: the cocoa tree. When Don Hernan Cortes, the Spanish conquistador, arrived in 1517 with his fleet of galleons, the Aztecs thought that he was Quetzalcoatl returning: they were soon to realise he was a cruel conqueror.