One evening–it was winter, and the hills and fields were covered with snow, but the moon shone bright on the frosty windows, and the fire was burning cheerfully in the grate; it was such an evening when one likes to enjoy the pleasures of a song or story. You may imagine yourselves on such an evening seated around the table, something like the knights of old, whose pleasure it was to relate their wonderful deeds of arms, when they returned from the “_Holy Land_,”… More >>
Chocolate: or, An Indian Drinke
Tags: Chocolate, Drinke, grate, holy land, Indian, knights of old, Moon, pleasure, pleasures
#1 by Adrenalin Streams on May 5, 2010 - 12:45 pm
This pamphlet was written by Antonio Colmenero de Ledesma in 1631 and translated into English by James Wadsworth. The Dodo Press version of the pamphlet comes from its 1652 translated publication. Slightly confusingly, James Wadsworth also uses the pseudonym of Don Diego de Vadesforte, and under that name writes what must be the first ever poem on chocolate, which appears in the introduction to the main text. Amongst many other benefits, apparently chocolate has amazing powers on older women!
“Twill make old women young and fresh
Create new motions of the flesh
And cause them long for you know what
If they but tast of chocolat”
The pamphlet itself, which is only some 28 pages long, is divided into 4 sections. The first section describes what chocolate is, the qualities of cacao, and the other ingedients used for making chocolate. The author also passes comment on a recipe for chocolate described in the only earlier document on chocolate he had come across, written by a physician from Marchena. The second section of the pamphlet looks into the quality and benefits of chocolate once it has been created from its constituent parts. The third section looks at the different combinations of ingredients (other than cacao) which can be used, and are best used, to make chocolate, as well as actually how to make chocolate and the best recipes. Finally, the fourth section looks at the quantity of chocolate that should be drunk, as well as at what time and by what types of person. All in all this is a fascinating pamphlet and praise should go to Dodo Press for re-publishing it. For students of chocolate this book/pamphlet is an absolute must-read!
Rating: 5 / 5