The Aztec Empire Used Cacao Beans as Currency

In the Aztec Empire, cacao beans were more than just the raw material for chocolate - they were the backbone of the entire economy. The beans served as a standardized currency with fixed exchange rates that were strictly regulated. One turkey cost 200 cacao beans, one large tomato cost one bean, one small chili pepper cost one bean, and one large fish cost 30 beans. The beans were so valuable that counterfeiting was a serious problem - people would hollow out beans and fill them with clay. Cacao was considered a gift from the god Quetzalcoatl, and only nobles and warriors were initially allowed to drink chocolate. The Spanish conquistadors quickly adopted this currency system when they arrived, and cacao beans continued to be used as money in parts of Mexico until the 19th century. This makes cacao one of the longest-lasting currencies in human history.