[Sca-cooks] Chocolate Drink for Gunther

[Elise Fleming]

Greetings.  There is a woman in the Midrealm, Jennifer Edwards-Ring,
who has been researching Aztec foods.  Here is part of an article
that she wrote:

" To attempt to duplicate this drink, I used Hershey's unsweetened
powdered cocoa. To this I added cinnamon and nutmeg. This was to
duplicate the taste of xochinacztli, the flower of Cymbopetalum
penduliflorum.  According to the Badianu Codex, cinnamon replaced
this in modern Mexican chocolate, but it tasted more like nutmeg.  I
added honey and vanilla to the water used. This was the only way to
make it drinkable. Without the honey, it was too bitter. I am
assuming chocolatl was an aquired taste, similar to coffee. I am
using a modern electric blender to produce the foam because it is
easier than hand whisking. It is interesting to note that a captured
woman could be saved from death and could even marry a nobleman if
she had a light hand beating cocoa.   Hand whisking takes more skill
than I posses. Aztec women had years to perfect it.

Chocolatl

 Chocolate drink
1 c lukewarm water
1/4 c cocoa
2 tbs honey
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Mix together and beat for several seconds in an electric blender or
by hand. Serve in small cups. (The honey and vanilla can be omitted
and chili powder can be added.)"

I had it served to me one memorable year by an Aztec knight, clad
only in a loincloth.  Delicious! ...Er, the *beverage* was
delicious!

Alys Katharine, remembering