Daily entries from the 17th century London diary
If you would like to write a summary for this topic, email phil [at] gyford [dot] com
1893 text
Chocolate was introduced into England about the year 1652. In the “Publick Advertiser” of Tuesday, June 16-22, 1657, we find the following; “In Bishopsgate Street in Queen’s Head Alley, at a Frenchman’s house, is an excellent West India drink called chocolate, to be sold, where you may have it ready at any time, and also unmade at reasonable rates.”—M. B.
Annotations
-
Chocolate in Pepys’ day
Chocolate at this time would have been drunk, not eaten. It was a relative newcomer to Britain, having been brought from South America only in the previous century. It was often drunk in establishments called chocolate houses, and was thought to improve the health.
-
A rich drink.
At this stage chocolate was a drink rich in fat, as it was made from whole chocolate, containing the full complement of natural cocoa-butter. Much later (19th century) the cocoa-butter was extracted for the confectionery trade.
In Pepys’ time the beverage tended to be further enriched by the addition of eggs, sack and/or spices. It must have resembled a sort of chocolate-flavoured egg-nog.
-
The Natural History of Chocolate, by D. de Quelus, 1730
-
“Chocolate at this time would have been drunk, not eaten.”
Therefore, also have a look at:
http://www.pepysdiary.com/p/310.php -
From MARS, a recreation of the C17th. “American Heritage Chocolate. It’s handcrafted chocolate inspired by an authentic colonial recipe – made with all-natural ingredients and no preservatives.”
http://www.americanheritagechocolate.com/index.htmlTo order …
http://www.americanheritagechocolate.com/html/products.htmThe description of an intrepid researcher & taster:
http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2010/04/tasting-chocolate-history.html