Hernando (Hernán) Cortés was a Spanish explorer and conquistador. In 1504, he sailed to the Dominican Republic and in 1511 moved to Cuba. He later became commander of an expedition to Mexico and he established a settlement, now known as Veracruz. He eventually conquered the Aztec Empire and renamed the city of Tenochtitlan to Mexico City in 1521. Then, Cortés was named governor of the land by King Charles I of Spain. According to the legends, during an expedition to the Americas in search of gold and riches, Cortes was offered by the Aztec emperor his favourite drink, the spicy warm chocolate! Upon his return to Spain in 1528, he brought back cocoa beans and introduced chocolate to Europe. Choco Myths team will be forever grateful!