[Sca-cooks] Re: chocolate: the costuming passion

[elisabetta at klotz.org]

>>> Found in a wonderful book with pre-columbian recipes some modern 
>>> variations, a
>>> drink made with dark chocolate (Porcelana beans or Varlhona 100 
>>> procent cacao)
>>> and chilipeppar.
>>> It was fantastic, a strong, warm and powerful stimulant (could not 
>>> sleep for many
>>> hours, had a lot of energy to spend). I added some dark Moscovado 
>>> sugar, it was a
>>> bit cheating, but it was too bitter and dark to be enjoyed without sugar.
>>> Ana
>

When I do my period chocolat class I use Luker (www.casaluker.com) bars. It is
the purest form of chocolate in a bar that I have been able to find. Giradeli
just come out with a 100% chocolate bar, but I believe they still 
conched it (I
need to check). All the other are either conched (soy added in) and 
most of the
cocoa's have alkaline.

The Luker can be found in any supermarket with a Spanish or South American
population. It's the yellow bar, and costs around $1.50. Luker is 100% pure
uncut Columbian chocolate.

Each package has 2 bars (the whole package is 8.75 oz). I have found that 1
package is good for 2 quarts. Add water, heat, cinnamon, nutmeg, chili, 
cloves,
vanilla bean (never never add vanilla extract), etc. When chocolate is melted,
whisk until frothy (like a latte). I suggest adding homey not sugar. Honey
doesn't sweeten it, but takes out the bitter taste and makes the other flavors
come forward.

A 1 oz cup will keep you hyper and happy for at least a day, and 3 oz or more
and you probably won't need to eat for the rest of the day either.

Based on the research I have done, this is pretty close to what the Spanish
colonists and explorers drank. The spices will make the difference between the
early Spanish and Aztec versions, and you can use wine as a base instead of
water. And you can cheat and use a molino to forth it (that's just out of
period, estimated dates circa 1690--1720) created by Spanish colonists).

I've also been working with the nibs to make the bars which
were used as well. This is very very time consuming. Luker's version is 
smoother
and much easier and cheaper.

:)
Elisabetta