About the book: 2018 / The book tells the story of the origin and spread of the chocolate tree and the drink made from its fruits in Mesoamerica. For Indians, chocolate was not only a tasty food. Cocoa beans served as an analogue of coins in trade, they were handed over during wedding ceremonies, used in medicine and for many other purposes. What did cocoa drink have to do with human sacrifice? Why did the Aztecs and Mayans associate the cocoa tree with the underworld? Here you will find answers to these and many other questions..