Chocolate in Europe
Who introduced chocolate to Europe?
Christopher Columbus is said to have brought the first cocoa beans back to Europe from his fourth visit to the 'New World' between 1502 and 1504. However, the many other treasures on board his galleons were far more exciting so the humble cocoa beans were neglected.
It was his fellow explorer, the Spanish Conquistador Don Hernan Cortes, who first realized the commercial value of the beans. Don Cortes discovered Mexico and the Aztec civilisation in 1517 when he landed on the Mexican coast near Veracruz, with 11 ships and 600 men. He decided to make his way to Tenochtitlan to see for himself the famed riches of Emperor Moctezuma and the Aztec empire.
Early Civilization |
The Emperor Moctezuma and chocolate
• Moctezuma introduced Don Cortes to his favourite drink 'chocolatl' served in a golden goblet.
• Moctezuma is said to have consumed several goblets of 'chocolatl' before entering his harem which led to the mythical belief that it had aphrodisiac properties!
What European countries played a large role in the evolution of chocolate?
Spain's contribution
Don Cortes brought cocoa beans and chocolate drink making equipment back to Spain in 1528. A Spanish version of the recipe was devised. Monks in monasteries known for their pharmaceutical skills were chosen to process the beans and perfect the drink to Spanish tastes. Cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar were added, the chilli pepper was omitted and it was discovered that chocolate tasted even better served hot. 'Chocolate' became a fashionable drink enjoyed by the rich in Spain. It took nearly a century for the news of cocoa and chocolate to spread across Europe as the Spanish kept it a closely guarded secret.
Italy's early experience - Germany likes chocolate too
An Italian traveller, Francesco Carletti, was the first to break the Spanish monopoly having visited Central America where he saw how the Indians prepared the cocoa beans and how they made the drink. By 1606 chocolate was well established in Italy. German visitors to Italy brought the chocolate drink to Germany around 1646.
France - The Court of Louis XIV and chocolate
The secret of chocolate was taken to France in 1615 when Anne, daughter of Philip II of Spain married King Louis XIII of France. The French court adopted this new exotic drink with great fervour - it was considered to have medicinal benefits as well as being a nourishing food.
The supply of cocoa beans to the French market greatly improved after 1684 when France conquered Cuba and Haiti and set up their own cocoa plantations.
Holland gains access to cocoa beans
English and Dutch sailors failed to recognize the importance of the cocoa beans they found in the Spanish 'treasure' ships they captured. The precious beans were thrown overboard by the angry sailors who were reputed to have thought that they were 'sheep's droppings'.
In the 17th century, the Dutch, who were great navigators, broke Spain's monopoly of cocoa when they captured Curacao. They not only brought cocoa beans from America to Holland, where cocoa was greatly acclaimed and recommended by doctors as a cure for almost every ailment, but also enabled the trade in cocoa beans to spread.
England establishes chocolate houses
The secret of the aromatic chocolate-flavoured drinks finally reached England from France in the 1650s and they became very popular at the court of King Charles II. It was a drink for the wealthy due to the high import duties on cocoa beans.
The first London chocolate house was opened in 1657 by a Frenchman who produced the first advertisement for the chocolate drinks to be seen in London.
Many fashionable chocolate houses were soon opened. The most famous one was White's Chocolate House on the fashionable St. James Street, opened in 1693 by Frances White, an Italian immigrant.
The chocolate drinks, served along with snacks and coffee, would have been made from blocks of solid cocoa, probably imported from Spain. A pressed cake from which the drink could be made at home was also sold.
The English improved the drink around 1700 by adding milk. By the end of the 18th century, London's chocolate houses began to disappear. Many of the more fashionable ones became smart gentlemen's clubs.
|
