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Saturday, August 15, 2009

Chocolate in 1793

Trying to minimize Ernest's long days, I drive him to the zoo, amuse myself for a few hours, then pick him up again. If he goes with his dad, it's an 8 hour day.

I lived in or near Santa Barbara for 10 years, and commuted to work there for another 12. I am enjoying my rediscovery. I'm trying to visit the many places I have just driven by. High on the list was El Presidio, because you literally drive through it going "up" on Santa Barbara Street.

Part of a requisition list for supplies, dated March 31, 1793:



But wait! Only 6 boxes of chocolate? Inconceivable.



If you could read that, you would see that at that time, chocolate was for drinking, not for eating. And here's the chocolate paraphernalia. Chocophernalia?



To make your mouth water, check out Jen on the Edge's chocolate reviews. She is doing all of us a community service here.

2 comments:

  1. I've always wanted to try one of the 18th century drinking chocolate recipes. I have no idea what's involved, but I've always imagined them as thick and very creamy.

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  2. Where's the chocolate pot? I think my house is cold enough at the moment to justify some hot chocolate. THANKS!

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