[Aztlan] chocolate

[Galen Brokaw]

I realize the question was about the Maya, but for whatever it is worth, 
in the Aztec case, there is eye-witness testimony of both ground cacao 
and frothy cacao drinks. In Cortes's second letter, he says that in the 
market place in Tenochtitlan, they sold ground cacao (Porrua ed., 1992, 
p.57). And Bernal Diaz del Castillo describes the drink as "hechos de 
buen cacao, con su espuma." Interestingly, he also says "decian que era 
para tener acceso con mujeres" (Porrua ed., 1994, p. 167).

Galen









SHARON GREENHILL wrote:
> I would agree with Justin, but you might also want to
> spike the chocolate drink with a little ground chili
> pepper to sample an authentic flavoring. While in
> Guatemala a few years ago, they also use other "new
> World" spices such as cinnamon. Good luck Sharon Edgar
> Greenhill
> 
> --- Justin Kerr <mayavase at verizon.net> wrote:
> 
>> The recipes for Ancient Chocolate are a matter of
>> conjecture. The various
>> concepts of "young" "tree ripe" etc. that appear in
>> the PSS do not present
>> much information. However, some years ago in
>> Guatemala we were served
>> chocolate as part of a ceremony. The closest you
>> would come to that recipe
>> is find the plainest un-sugared, darkest chocolate;
>> powder preferred, and
>> mix with water. (no frothing was observed)  Serve in
>> a small cup (we were
>> served in a small calabash) It should be bitter and
>> cold, a far cry from our
>> familiar hot chocolate.
>> Justin Kerr   
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org
>> [mailto:aztlan-bounces at lists.famsi.org]
>> On Behalf Of Wendy Bacon
>> Sent: Wednesday, September 26, 2007 9:51 PM
>> To: Aztlan news Aztlan news group
>> Subject: [Aztlan] chocolate
>>
>> I'm planning a lecture on the ancient Maya to
>> elementary and middle  
>> school students.  I'd like to offer them a taste of
>> chocolate, the  
>> way the ancient Maya would have consumed it.  Can
>> anybody suggest a  
>> recipe?  THis needs to be something I can make with
>> ingredients  
>> available in a supermarket, and not too expensive.
>>
>> Thanks --
>>
>> Wendy J. Bacon
>> Department of Anthropology
>> University of Pennsylvania
>>
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