Whether in the film hit "Chocolat," as a trendy drink on supermarket shelves, or as a fine, individually crafted praline from a workshop: cocoa is literally on everyone's lips. What was once reserved for elite cocoa lovers like Goethe or Louis XIV as a delicacy has now become a daily consumer good for the general population. Initially, the unsweetened drink of the Aztecs was not very appealing to the Spanish conquerors, and even today, the enjoyment of cocoa can sometimes carry a bitter aftertaste when considering the social and ecological consequences of its cultivation and harvest. Yet, despite some downsides, cocoa remains one of the most fascinating substances in the global economy. Volume 7 of the "Material Stories" series narrates its tumultuous history, offering an entertaining (time) journey from the high cultures of Central America to the modern chocolatiers.