Some people cannot resist chocolates, good thing it is proven to have health benefits. Chocolates are loaded with antioxidants that help our bodies to fight free radicals.

Do you know that chocolates were only available in Mesoamerica before the 16^th century? Right now, there are various chocolates in all parts of the world, and people are often head over heels in love with them.

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Cacao beans are grounded and mixed with chili pepper and cornmeal to create a frothy, bitter drink. Early Americans believed that cacao is a gift from a serpent God while Aztecs used it to reward soldiers who go to battle, according to TIME.

In 1519, colonists returned with large shipments of cacao beans from the Count of Montezuma, and it became known as being an aphrodisiac. Previously, it was used for ailments as well as other medicinal purposes. People soon mixed it with honey, sugar, and vanilla, which makes it become a treat. In fact, it quickly became a delicacy in Spain and a staple in most aristocratic homes.

A crisis occurred when the demand for chocolates became high, according to Medical Daily. Producing cacao beans is time consuming and difficult. It also needs huge plantations and more slaves. This all changed when the cocoa press was created by Coenraad Van Houten in 1828.

The machine can separate the natural fat of cocoa, which produces a powder that can be combined with the cocoa butter to form chocolate bars or added to a liquid to have a drink. The creation was further evolved by Daniel Peter allowing milk to be added to the mix, forming the milk chocolate bar today.