Who first the commercial value of cocoa beans?

The commercial value of cocoa beans was first recognized by the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, particularly the Olmecs around 1500 BCE, and later by the Maya and Aztec cultures. They used cocoa beans to make a beverage called "xocoatl," which had both ritualistic and economic significance. The Aztecs even used cocoa beans as a form of currency and for trade, highlighting their value in society. This recognition laid the groundwork for cocoa's eventual global commercialization.