Chocolate: political tool of Italy’s Medicis

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From discovery.com: Chocolate: Political Tool of Italy’s Medicis.

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. (…)

To compete with Spain, the Grand Duke told his court scientists to develop new recipes in his food laboratories.

It was there that his personal doctor and court scientist Francesco Redi created the jasmine chocolate.

The recipe remained a state secret until the Medici dynasty ended with the death from obesity of Cosimo’s son Giangastone. (…)

Offered only to very important guests, the jasmine chocolate soon became the most sought-after drink at the European courts. [continue]

The recipe is included at the end of the article. Make some for me?

Via mirabilis_ca