Question

Source 1: Excerpt from a letter by Marie de Villars, wife of the French Ambassador to Spain, 1680 I observe my chocolate diet, to which I believe I owe my health. I do not use it crazily or without precaution. My temperament would seem incapable of accepting this nourishment [presumably her temperament was melancholic or phlegmatic]. However it is admirable and delicious. I have made it at home, which can do no harm. I often think that if I should see you again, I would make you take it methodically, and make you confess that there is nothing better for the health. There’s an encomium of chocolate! Remember that I am in Spain, and taking it is almost my only pleasure. Excerpted from: Sophie D. Coe and Michael D. Coe. The True History of Chocolate (London: Thames & Hudson, 2013), 138. Source 2: Excerpt from writings by Italian Francesco Redi, ca. 1666 Chocolate was first introduced from America by the court of Spain, where it is made in all perfection. And yet, to the Spanish perfection has been added, in our times, in the court of Tuscany, a certain I know not what of more exquisite gentility, owing to the novelty of diverse European ingredients; a way having been found out of introducing into the composition the fresh peel of citrons and lemons, and the very genteel odour of jasmine; which, together with cinnamon, amber, musk, and vanilla, has a prodigious effect upon such as delight themselves in taking chocolate. Excerpted from: Leigh Hunt, Bacchus in Tuscany: A Dithyrambic Poem from the Italian of Francisco Redi, with Notes Original and Select (London: John and H.L. Hunt, 1825), 122–23. Source 3: Excerpt from a letter by Marie de Rabutin-Chantal, Marquise de Sévigné, 1671 I want to tell you, my dear child, that chocolate is no longer for me what it was, fashion has led me astray, as it always does. Everyone who spoke well of it now tells me bad things about it; it is cursed, and accused of causing one’s ills, it is the source of vapors and palpitations; it flatters you for a while, and then suddenly lights a continuous fever in you that leads to death. … In the name of God, don’t keep it up, and don’t think that it is still the fashion of the fashionable. All the great and the less [great] say as much bad about it as they say good things about you. … Excerpted from: Sophie D. Coe and Michael D. Coe. The True History of Chocolate (London: Thames & Hudson, 2013), 158-159. Source 4: Spanish tiles depicting a chocolatada (chocolate party), 1700s

Analysis Question: To answer this question, write at least three full paragraphs (5-6 sentences each). What were European attitudes towards chocolate? Explain your answer citing the documents. Based on the documents, do you think chocolate was a special drink, or an everyday food, for the Europeans? Support your answer citing the sources. How was the use of chocolate in Europe both similar to and different from its use in the Americas?

Answer 1

Chocolate : Chocolate was actually introduced in Europe in the year 1550. Europe is very much fond of chocolates. Europe, South and Central America cultivate the cocoa trees in their gardens.

European Attitude towards chocolate :

Chocolates were found to be the native dessert of South and Central America which has largest cultivation of Cocoa trees and this is said to be brought back to Europe by Christopher Columbus from America.Chocolates were more seen and ate in European countries such as Switzerland and Germany.

• They feel chocolate as a sacred item which treats people from their psychological disturbances and relieves people from stress.
• They feel that they produce the world's best chocolate using the most fresh farm picked cocoa beans using chocolate aka where as Americans uses Soya bean syrups instead of chocolate.
• This is considered as the most fashionable drink by Europe with mixture of some American spices
• The Food and Drug Administration of Europe will not allow to add other products along with the cocoa beans this make Europe to manufacture world's best chocolates and they feel much proud about the chocolates they produce.
• Europe law officially states that chocolate cannot be mixed with other fats other than cocoa butter.

Chocolate as a Special drink :

Chocolate is a Special drink which made from melting of Cocoa beans which is considered as hot chocolate which is actually mixed with other creams.This was actually a culture of Mesoamericans to have a chocolate drink in their daily routine.This can also been mixed with other spices such as pepper and cinnamon and stored until a foam develops and later used for consuming.This was also consumed as cold chocolate for many occasions and feasts.This was considered as a rich drink.Though chocolate is considered as healthy as it has many nutrients which is very rich in antioxidants and also found to be curative in cardiovascular and respiratory diseases.Thus chocolate is considered as a drink.

Sources Stating Chocolate as a Drink.

• Meso American Culture Maya
• Books of Hot Chocolate
• Mr and Ms History of Chocolate by Earely Diana 2001.
• History of Hot Chocolate by Pelangie 2008.
• Hot Chocolate is the Historical Mexican drink by Johnson Dorothy Johnson in 1942.

Use of Chocolate Americans vs Europeans :

Americans used mostly 2 billions of chocolate and they are considered as Choco- Alcoholiics.North Americans consume the highest amounts of chocolate and also American are top one among the world to eat highest amounts.Only few countries in Europe use or consume highest amount of chocolate such as Switzerland and Germany and when compared to America even though Europe manufactures the best chocolate they consume lesser amounts compared to America.