Why was Columbus being ignored when he first brought cocoa beans to Spain?

When Columbus first brought cocoa beans to Spain, they were largely ignored because the Spanish court was more focused on the riches from gold and silver that he promised rather than on the potential of cocoa as a commodity. Additionally, the concept of drinking chocolate was unfamiliar to Europeans, and the beans were seen as strange and exotic rather than valuable. It wasn't until later, when the beverage gained popularity among the elite, that cocoa began to be appreciated for its culinary and economic potential.