Theearliestrecordstellusthebeansweregroundandmixedwithcornmealandchilipepperstocreate a drink - not a relaxingcupofhotcocoa, but a bitter, invigoratingconcoctionfrothingwithfoam.
Atfirst, itsbittertastemadeitsuitableas a medicineforailments, likeupsetstomachs, butsweeteningitwithhoney, sugar, orvanillaquicklymadechocolate a populardelicacyintheSpanishcourt.
VanHouten's inventioncouldseparatethecocoa's naturalfat, orcocoabutter. Thisleft a powderthatcouldbemixedinto a drinkablesolutionorrecombinedwiththecocoabuttertocreatethesolidchocolateweknowtoday.