-
A civilisation of warriors. Often at war protecting their trade routes
-
-
-
Civilization dominating the Northern territories of central America. The 1st to put a high price on Cocoa, reserved for wealth and warriors.They ran a restrictive society where cocoa beans where a luxury reserved for celebrations. They built their empire on warriors - ferocious and efficient.
-
They journeyed through Central America looking for their home. They settled in Tenochtitlan (Now Mexico City!)They dominated the region.
-
Ruler of the aztecs Moctezuma. It is said every day he would send 2000 jars of foaming cocoa to his soldiers to keep them full and energised.
-
Pure Cocoa Drink meaning "Precious Thing"
1st they would break the beans, grind, crush and select them.
Then they would drench, soak and steep them. Then Filter and strain them. They would then pour it back and forth between jugs creating a foak (think beer!) they would then add water. -
Chilli, Vanilla, string flowers and popcorn flowers where added to the simple drink of beans and water. Moctezuma was said to drink 50 jars of Cacao water a day to maintain his "performance' with the ladies. Beans where placed with high value, being made into a drink, pay wage and feed the army. Watching the making of the cacao drink became the grand finale at banquets.
-
Columbus missed out on cacao. When he stopped a flotilla of canoes he took all their copper and weapons but left the most vaulable thing - the beans! He mistook the beans for almonds and left them behind missing possibly the biggest opportunity. He died 4 years later never tasting chocolate.
-
Given the task of taking down the aztecs. He travelled to Tenochtitlan, he was greeted peacefully by Moctezuma ll. Cortes took him hostage in his own palace forcing him to swear allegiance to Charles V of Spain.
-
Cocoa travels to spain
-
Moctezuma ll was stoned to death by his own people in a local rebellion.
-
After a lot of fighting, the Aztec family fell. Cortes claimed Tenochtitlan for Spain and renamed Mexico City.
-
Cortes realised the value of Cacao fast in the native country and took full advantage!
-
The drink was cold and bitter, no served hot or room temperature and sweetened with cane sugar. Old world spices, Cinnamon, anise seed and black pepper were added instead of native flowers. Prep didn't change except the froth was now created with a Molinillo.
-
The Jesuits formed in 1534. Militant arm of the church - defenders of papal supremacy. Became the traders of cacao with Spain.
-
In 1585 trade of Cacao beans began in ernest. It started to arrived in colonies, monasteries and convents prepared the drink.
-
-
Cosimo lll, the Grand Duke of Tuscany was a gluton and heavily indulgent. It is said when he visited the Spanish king in 1668, he was plied with hot chocolate at a bullfight. He became besotted and got his fill!
-
Chocolate made appearances at Spanish public celebrations such a bullfighting and Auto-de-fé (Act of faith)
-
Authorities allowed Jesuits to trade good without paying fees. In 1701 8 crates of chocolate arrived labelled "Chocolate for the very revered father general of the company of Jesus. When unpacked they where giant slabs of Chocolate! In fact - they where blocks of gold coated in a layer of chocolate, the Jesuits refused charges of smuggling...
-
-
-
-
Tertulias where a popular social gathering for the Spanish upper class. The men in 1 room, women in the other. They would gather together and at 11pm would get iced water and sweet biscuits. Then chocolates, biscuits, marzipans etc would come out and everyone would eat their fill. Any leftovers they would take home in a napkin.
-
-
