Pain au chocolat is a wonderful breakfast treat in France. It is made by injecting chocolate into layers of buttery, flaky pastry. The hand-thrown plate is from Chinon and the eating utensils are 19th-century French silver. The miniature cafe au lait porcelain bowl contains rose sugar, with some rose petals visible. The white porcelain pot de creme (right) holds either hot or cold creme.
A chocolate tart is covered by rich dark chocolate, with a powdered-sugar and pistachio nut border in the shape of a quarter-moon. It will be dessert for tonight's dinner!
The chocolate pots from Limoges, France (pictured) were made between 1892 and 1931. In today's market they range in value from about $300 to $600.
In France, chocolate initially was greeted with skepticism. The French court accepted it only after the Paris Faculty of Medicine offered its seal of approval. For a time, particularly in the 19th-century, chocolate was used for medicinal purposes, treating digestive, pulmonary and infectious diseases. It was also appreciated for its nutritive and aphrodisiacal effects.
In 1615 Anne of Austria, wife of Louis XIII, proclaimed chocolate as the official drink of the French court. The confectionary's popularity grew in 1643, after Spanish Princess Maria Theresa gave her fiance Louis XIV an engagement gift of chocolate, presented in an ornate chest.
The Spanish, who mixed cocoa beans with sugar, vanilla, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and cinnamon, kept their special blend a closely-guarded secret for nearly a hundred years!
Once exposed to the magic elixir, the Sun King Louis XIV and members of his court at Versailles enjoyed chocolate so much that the King appointed a company to manufacture and sell the delicacy. Until 1879, chocolate was available only as cocoa or a liquid. After the thirst for chocolate -----which later included candy----- flouished in Paris, its popularity spread throughout France.
No doubt chocolate's image was influenced by French royalty, who firmly believed the bittersweet substance was an aphrodisiac. Art and literature were infused with erotic imagery said to be inspired by chocolate. The Marquis de Sade had a reputation for using chocolate to disguise the taste of poison. In contrast, the legendary lover Casanova was reputed to use chocolate along with champagne in his seduction techniques.
Today French chocolate remains as popular as ever, with an amazing array of choices well beyond the usual mousse au chocolat and profiteroles. One Paris-based cookbook writer offers a chocolate tour of some of the city's best-loved chocolate emporiums.
Although reluctant to admit it, many French people prefer Belgium or even Swiss chocolate to their own country's specialities. Some chocolate afficionados claim Belgium chocolate is darker and richer than the French product. But chocolate is always a matter of individual taste, with preference changing according to mood, whim or opportunity. It's difficult to be disappointed in a country where choices of chocolate are almost as numerous as the varieties of cheese!
What a fun and interesting history lesson - I would have enjoyed history class so much more if it had been taught through the viewpoint of eating (especially chocolate!)
Posted by: tinker | 25 April 2006 at 06:11
I love that the first thing so many of us thought of was the Johnny Depp movie and you've taken us to France for a bit of history and a bit of the modern view ... I was captivated! French history (and chocolate) are personal favorites.
Posted by: HoBess | 25 April 2006 at 04:56
I found you through Corey, and what a lovely find!
I posted about pain au chocolat recently. The old-fashioned kind, when as kids we were given a piece of chocolate and a piece of bread to put it in, "pour le goûter".
Posted by: Colette | 24 April 2006 at 18:39
My dad used to take me to a French Bakery near his office and I would oreder Pain au chocolat. Yumm! I loved the history lesson and the beautiful pictures. After reading only a few Scribblings I am realizing how little I know about chocolate!
Posted by: Kim G. | 24 April 2006 at 08:35
oh this looks so good...and thank you for all of the information...i am with bohemian girl...takes some of the guilt out of it.
Posted by: liz elayne | 24 April 2006 at 07:58
This is one history class I would certainly take--so much knowledge about chocolate and culture! I was very impressed, nothing like combining love and learning.
Posted by: C. Delia | 24 April 2006 at 04:06
so pretty - all of it. i want to learn how to make that tart. i enjoy visiting here so much. thank you for your photos and words. i always learn something interesting.
Posted by: Jennifer (she said) | 23 April 2006 at 18:09
Ooh, I love little historical tidbits like this - that bit about the Marquis de Sade, for example. Deliciously evil. And those pitchers! And that tart! And that cake stand! (I have a weakness for cake stands) So much fun.
Posted by: Laini | 23 April 2006 at 18:00
This was a great post. I have to say that I do prefer Belgian chocolate, but honestly, any chocolate is my favorite.
Posted by: bella | 23 April 2006 at 17:54
Aren't we spoiled living here! Your writing makes me feel the chocolate on my lips!! Paris Parfait oh la la!
Posted by: tongue in cheek | 23 April 2006 at 15:43
What a fantastic post!
Education and eye candy...love it but now I have a craving;)
Posted by: joy | 23 April 2006 at 15:34
Thanks for the compliment, but the chocolate pots are no longer mine; they've been sold. Sadly, not enough space in a Paris apartment.
Posted by: Paris Parfait | 23 April 2006 at 15:18
Thank you so much Tara for sharing your chocolat pots with us. You are so lucky living in France and enjoying such pleasures.
Posted by: Cookie | 23 April 2006 at 13:23
I envy you living in Paris - that was a fantastic post. Sx
Posted by: susannah | 23 April 2006 at 12:43
Oh my, I learned so much here, esp. how to justify my chocolate consumption (i.e. "You know, I'm only eating it for medicinal purposes!"). Thanks for the lovely, informative post and gorgeous pictures!
Posted by: Cate | 23 April 2006 at 04:36
There is nothing quite so delicious (or decadent) as a cup of chocolat chaud and what beautiful pots you have for pouring it!
Posted by: susanlavonne | 23 April 2006 at 04:36
I definitely want that for breakfast - yum!
Posted by: Kara | 23 April 2006 at 03:43
my taste buds are begging me after reading this.
learning some history takes the guilt out of it and replaces it with feeling more brilliant. ;)
Posted by: bohemiangirl | 23 April 2006 at 03:07
Hi Tara and so so sorry I could not yet find the time to reply to your wonderful email... I just love this post, it is so mouthwatering and sensual... I just could not make myself write about food as such but as a matter of imagination.. thanks for saying hi even if I am such a lousy correspondent... kids were sick & mom was here @ the office trying to get things done... not!!!
See you soo - I will write, I wanted to do so with time and thought.
Again... oh what illustrations with your text...
Posted by: Ann Marie Simard | 23 April 2006 at 01:17
Mouthwatering, as well as all the chocolate I loved the rose petals in the sugar - heavenly scent!
Posted by: Caroline | 22 April 2006 at 20:17
MMMmmmmm... thank you for this lesson! I really enjoyed reading this - it makes me feel like enjoying chocolate isn't wicked - it's historic!
Posted by: megg | 22 April 2006 at 19:09