Initially the cocoa drink sold in pharmacies as a medicine

English physician and naturalist Hans Sloane came to Jamaica in 1687, the year, at the invitation of Duke Albemarlskogo become his personal physician. Unfortunately Duke died a month after the arrival of Sloan. But being the curious scientist, he was still 15 months remained on the island, studying the local flora. During this time he discovered about 800 species previously unknown in Europe. Including his attention was drawn cocoa beans which the natives was ground, mixed with water and consumed as a beverage.

This drink Sloan seemed extremely unpleasant, even sickening taste, and he decided to try to add the milk. The resulting recipe was brought by the author in England, where the cocoa drink, also known as "hot chocolate", was sold in pharmacies as a medicine.

via factroom.ru