What Ancient Civilization Used Chocolate as Currency?

In ancient Mesoamerica, particularly among the Aztec civilization, cacao beans were so highly valued that they were used as a form of currency. The Aztecs believed that cacao was a gift from the god Quetzalcoatl, and it was not only consumed as a bitter drink mixed with spices but also held significant economic importance. A turkey, for instance, could be purchased for about 100 cacao beans, while a tamale cost around 10 beans. This unique use of chocolate as a medium of exchange illustrates how integral cacao was to the cultural and economic fabric of the Aztec society, influencing trade routes and interactions with other civilizations long before the arrival of Europeans, who would later popularize chocolate in sweetened forms.