The Mayans called the drink “chocolhaa” (“bitter water”) and Aztecs called it “Xocolatl.” From those words eventually evolved the word “chocolate.” Cacao was used in special celebrations such as those for funeral rituals, war, or harvests.

“Chocolate” comes from Nahuatl, the language of the Aztec Empire. The word “cacao” was used by the ancient Maya, but the word likely originates with the Mije-Sokean language family.

The Olmecs used the cacao plant for religious rituals and medicinal purposes, but the first evidence of cocoa as a drink comes from the Mayan people.

Thought of as a ritual drink, chocolate is considered sacred. The cocoa tree is therefore known as the 'cacahuaquchchtl', or 'tree of the Maya gods'. Maya peoples and travellers organised rituals in his honour to gain his protection while they were away from home.