The word chocolate has its origins in the Aztec (Nahuati) language.
Chocolate, derived from the cacao tree, has been consumed in liquid, paste and solid form, as well as a flavouring in other foods, for thousands of years.
The majority of Mesoamerican peoples, especially Aztecs and Mayans, made chocolate beverages dating back to almost 2000 BC.
The seeds of the cacao tree have an intensely bitter taste and they are fermented to commence the process of making chocolate. Following fermentation the beans are dried, cleaned and roasted.
After the removal of shells, the remaining material is ground into a cocoa mass (chocolate in a rough form).
The cocoa mass is liquified by heating and when cooled processed into two components: cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
Much of the chocolate produced today is sweet in nature being composed of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, vegetable oils and sugar.
Milk chocolate is a sweet product that has milk powder or in some cases condensed milk added to it.
White chocolate contains cocoa butter, sugar and milk without any cocoa solids.
Dark chocolate contains cacao picture, sugar and fat.
Unsweetened chocolate is pure chocolate made without other additives.
While Columbus took cacoa beans to Spain, chocolate didn't become popular until Spanish monks introduced it as a drink to the Spanish Court after the Aztecs had been conquered by Spain.
Throughout Europe in the 17th and 18th Centuries chocolate became more and more popular as various forms of the product emerged.
Today chocolates manufactured in Belgium from imported ingredients are recognised as being amongst the finest in the world.
Early manufactures who experimented with various forms of this delicious treat included Henri Nestle, Daniel Peter and Rudolph Lindt.
In the mid to late 19th Century a number of mass produced chocolate companies were formed including Rowntrees, Cadbury and Hershey in the United States.
Australia's favourite chocolate bar is the Cherry Ripe originally created by MacRobertson's in 1924.
Cadbury, which commenced operation as Cadbury-Fry Pascall in Claremont Tasmania in 1922, now manufactures the Cherry Ripe.
Here is a secret message. Every member of the RC Mt Eliza who emails President Ross before midnight on Monday 27th January will go into a draw to win a box of chocolates. Send the message - Secret Message Chocolate. The draw will take place at our meeting on Tuesday 4 February.
Today there is an enormous number of different chocolate based products and chocolate is truly one of the favourites of all food.