Because of events leading to the American Revolution, tea will always be linked with Boston. In fact, tea, coffee, and chocolate all arrived in Massachusetts during the seventeenth century.
“I said Massachutset and Mexico met at his Honour’s table.”
- Judge Samuel Sewall after a breakfast of venison and chocolate with the Lieutenant Governor, 1697
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- Jean Etienne Liotard Old Masters Gallery, Dresden
Sugar or Spice
Chocolate originated in Mexico and Central America. Served as a drink, it was often spiced with chili peppers. Columbus was shown cocoa beans on his fourth voyage to America but apparently decided not to indulge. Later the Spanish sweetened chocolate with sugar and vanilla (also a new world flavor) and its popularity spread in Europe.
Every Witch Way
Samuel Sewall was a judge in the Salem Witch Trials. Admitting his error he was an early advocate of reform (and chocolate.) Sewall gave “2 Balls of Chockalett and a pound of figs” to a sick man named Samuel Whiting. He presented a pound of chocolate and three printed sermons to a “Mr. Gibbs.”
“Boston Made”
Cacao beans were shipped from Jamaica to Boston in 1682. During the colonial period Boston developed a reputation for producing high quality chocolate. It was superior to products imported from England because chocolate could take on the flavor of fish or other cargo on sailing ships. Importing beans from the Caribbean, and producing chocolate locally, improved quality. After the Revolution “Boston Made” appeared in ads for chocolate in other American cities.
Chocolate pot . . .
Perhaps this image does not remind you of hot chocolate on a cold morning. This elegant chocolate pot was made in Boston around 1760 by Zachariah Bridgden. The spout is higher than in coffee pots to contain chocolate solids while pouring.
- Historic Deerfield
Dr. James Baker and . . .
Dr. James Baker and John Hannon began making chocolate in eighteenth century Massachusetts. (Chocolate was served as a drink.) Hannon left America but Baker’s Chocolate grew into a national brand. The Walter Baker chocolate factory, in Milton’s Lower Mills section, has been converted for housing. As late as the 1960’s the aroma of chocolate permeated the neighborhood.
- Marcbela