The Columbian Stock Exchange: ChocolateDuring the period 1450-1750, the Columbian Stock Exchange was at its peak of power and influence. Many products were introduced from foreign countries, such as animals like cattle, chickens and horses, and agricultural products like potatoes, bananas and avocados. Diseases also spread and persisted in distant lands where they wreaked havoc among unvaccinated people. One such influential product during this period was cocoa, or more commonly known as chocolate. First discovered and used in the Americas, cocoa beans quickly traveled and became a popular treat in European lands. It was valuable in the New World and was even used as currency by the Aztecs. At first, only the rich and privileged were allowed to purchase this valuable item. Cocoa was even used in religious ceremonies by the natives. When it spread to Europe and other countries, it also caused a lot of noise. The cocoa plant had a fairly significant impact on the Colombian trade. Chocolate or cocoa was first discovered by Europeans as a New World plant, as the seed of the tropical tree Theobroma cacao. In Latin, Theobroma literally means: “food of the gods” (Bugbee, Cacao and Chocolate: A Short History of Their Production and Use). Originally found and cultivated in Mexico, Central America, and northern South America, its first documented use dates back to around 1,100 BC. The majority of Mesoamerican peoples made chocolate drinks, including the Aztecs, who made a drink known as xocolātl, a Nahuatl word meaning "bitter water" (Grivetti; Howard-Yana, Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage ). It was also a drink in Mayan tradition that served as a ceremonial item. The cocoa plant is middle of paper......South America and became an important export crop in West Africa in the 20th century. Although little information was provided on our specific topic, this source proved useful for Columbian Exchange information. Nunn, Nathan and Nancy Qian. “The Columbian Exchange: A Story of Disease, Food, and Ideas.” Journal of Economic Outlook. Yale University, 2010. Web. October 12, 2013. .This source has been one of the most useful for researching warranties. This is a PDF file from the Columbian Exchange and all general trade information and a full list of foods are provided. Cocoa beans, although not a staple crop, played a very important role in the trade network. This journal was helpful in providing details on the importance of cocoa and its importance over time..