Chocolate: Political Tool of Italy's Medicis

[celticdragonfly]

This is a cool article!

The Medicis, the family that dominated the Italian Renaissance, used chocolate as a powerful political tool to impose the Florentine taste in European courts, according to an exhibition that traces the history of chocolate from its arrival to Europe in the 16th century. (click for the full article)

Grateful hat tip to fordprfct who sent me the link.
(why don't I have a chocolate icon? Must do something about that soon.)

Comments

[selenesue.livejournal.com]

O great googly moogly and Chocolate Squee!

I may have to plant jasmine in my yard so that I may try to make this. YES, you will get some if I do, 'tis the least I can do.

Cacao icon for you.

[msminlr.livejournal.com]

Now if I only knew where to lay hands on jasmine and vanilla flowers!

[carbonelle.livejournal.com]

"10 librae of roasted cocoa, cleaned and coarsely minced (1 libra = 12 oz.)
fresh jasmine petals
8 librae white sugar
3 ounces vanilla flowers
6 ounces cinnamon
2 scruples (7.76 grams)ambergris "

I'd worry about the ambergris myself.

Note that the recipe calls for "8 lbs" sugar. Making vanilla sugar is simple enough with the beans (and obviates the need for the blossom); while if you don't live in the Frozen North(TM), jasmine is dead easy to grow.

[celticdragonfly.livejournal.com]

I have a jasmine bush growing at the side of my front walk, up against the house. It's blossoming now, Maggie was just commenting on the yellow flowers she could see from the window by the door. Next time you're in town, feel free to come harvest!