The Aztec Empire covered much of central Mexico from 1300 to 1521. Chocolate is made from cacao beans, and beans from cacao trees were considered more valuable than gold. They were used to make a chocolate drink for warriors and nobles, and also used as money. According to one ancient shopping list one bean could buy you a large tomato! 2 beans = a hen's egg, 4 beans = a pumpkin, 20 beans = 1 rooster, and 30 beans = 1 small rabbit.