Chocolate in Colonial Times Consumption
When cacao was brought to Europe, it was served the same way it was served in Mesoamerica but people in Europe didn’t have the same access to cacao as those in Mesoamerica. Due to cacao having to be imported in order for consumption in Europe, it was an item that was a luxury for the elites and for those that could afford it. It was served at special events, political events, and by anyone who had status and power in Europe. Despite the love for chocolate there were people who had issues with consuming something that came from people that were seen as uncivilized and they needed a reason that could validate their continued consumption of chocolate as well as religious beliefs associated with chocolate.
It was only in the United Kingdom that people that could afford chocolate were allowed access to it, whereas in other European countries you had to be a part of the elite class to enjoy it. It was the chocolate houses that were set up throughout the United Kingdom where anybody could get cacao beverages as long as they could afford it. It was at these chocolate houses that a lot of men in power met to have discussions on political matters. Although those drinking chocolate were usually men, women played the important role of making the drinks for men. Showing that chocolate drinks were for the elites in the United Kingdom because many of those visiting the chocolate houses were in place of power. Cacao drink recipes were also appearing in cookbooks in the 1650’s in the United Kingdom. This was yet another way to show elite status to access cacao because many at the time couldn’t afford to buy cookbooks like the elites.
Unlike the United Kingdom where chocolate could be bought by anybody who could afford it, other European countries limited chocolate to those of elite status. Chocolate in other countries was used as a way to reinforce status, such as chocolate rooms, special porcelain cups, and paintings depicting the drink of chocolate hat elites only had access to. As the taste for chocolate expanded, elites had utensils designed to make the process of making chocolate easier and look more sophisticated. Items such as the chocolatier pot invented in France. In France, chocolate was so exclusive to the elites that they had their own cookware and ways of making chocolate. There was the use of special made cups that also allowed chocolate reinforced status. These cups could be made from pottery, silver, or porcelain; it just depended on the social standing of the person who owned the cups. These cups became synonymous with the elite status of drinking chocolate.
With the consumption of chocolate in Europe came the acceptance of eating something that came from people that were uncivilized. Although elites love to drink chocolate they needed a reason to validate drinking it. The way the elites validated the use of chocolate and cacao was medical reasoning in that chocolate had health benefits that were good for the body and that it was this kind of cure all drug that could have with all kinds of ailments. It could cure stomach aches, headaches, skin problems, etc and had been doing so for many years with recommendations.
There was also the problem of the validation of the consumption of chocolate and that was for religious reasons. There were arguments of whether or not chocolate broke fast and the argument of it being associated with the devil. It was also believed that women could chocolate to control men. Some people said it did break fast due to it having nutrients while others said it didn’t as long as it was consumed as a drink. But it was the medical benefits of eating chocolate that really validate to people that it was okay to consume chocolate.
Cacao drinks in Europe were only for the elites and those that could afford to buy it. It was a drink that was served at special, or political events where men were the ones being served and women preparing the drink. Europeans also needed a reason to consume chocolate due to it being of foreign origin and not being sure it was okay to accept something from people that were thought as being beneath them. There was also the religious implication of consuming chocolate but all of these were outweighed by the medical benefits of chocolate. How will the consumption of chocolate among the elites affect the production of cacao?
Loveman, Kate. “The Introduction of Chocolate into England: Retailers, Researchers, and Consumers, 1640-1730.” Journal of Social History 47, no. 1 (2013): 27–46. http://www.jstor.org/stable/43306044.
Walker, Timothy. “Cure or Confection? Chocolate in the Portuguese Royal Court and Colonial Hospitals, 1580-1830.” In Chocolate: History, Culture, and Heritage, edited by Howard-Yana Shapiro and Louis E. Grivetti, 561-568. John Wiley & Sons, 2009.
