In 1519, during the conquest of Mexico, Hernán Cortés was introduced to chocolate at the court of Montezuma, where it was consumed as a frothy beverage. This encounter marked the beginning of chocolate's introduction to Europe, eventually leading to its widespread popularity. The cultural exchange surrounding chocolate not only transformed culinary practices but also had significant economic implications, contributing to the development of global trade networks.

Hernán Cortés' introduction to Aztec chocolate in 1519 romanticized exotic luxuries and influenced Baroque poetry. Poets like Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz incorporated themes of conquest and cultural exchange, reflecting on the complexities of colonial encounters.