English Heritage Shares Historic Hot Chocolate Recipes for Easter

Chocolate for Breakfast? Historic Health Claims Return This Easter

As Easter approaches, English Heritage is encouraging people to rethink their chocolate habits, suggesting that a cup of hot chocolate could once have been considered a healthy choice.

Working with food historian Sam Bilton, the charity has released three historic hot chocolate recipes said to offer a range of health benefits. Visitors attending Easter events at sites including Pendennis Castle will also have the chance to try these flavours for themselves by adding traditional ingredients to their drinks.

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES

A Different Take on Chocolate

Today, health trends often focus on green juices and protein shakes. However, the press release highlights that during the Stuart period, people were adding spices to chocolate drinks in the belief they could improve wellbeing.

Chocolate itself was once thought to be beneficial, especially when combined with ingredients chosen for specific effects. These included vanilla, believed to support brain and womb health, allspice to prevent wind, and cinnamon to boost mood.

The recipes released by English Heritage include variations designed to support digestion and improve mood, offering what the charity describes as a historic take on “health boosting” drinks.

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES

From Ancient Civilisations to European Courts

The consumption of chocolate dates back thousands of years to the Mayan and Aztec civilisations, where it was consumed as a bitter drink. It arrived in Spain during the 16th century following the invasion of the Americas and quickly spread across Europe.

At the time, chocolate was promoted as a health drink, based on the idea of balancing the body using ingredients with opposing qualities. Chocolate, considered a “cool” substance, was even thought to help treat fevers.

Its popularity grew with support from monks and friars who had travelled to the Americas and brought back knowledge of its uses.

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES

Surprising Claims and Ingredients

As chocolate became more widely used, so did the claims about its benefits. Dr Henry Stubbes, who prepared chocolate for Charles II, reportedly suggested that one ounce of chocolate could provide as much nourishment as a pound of beef.

Spices were commonly added to enhance its effects, and drinks were tailored to address both physical health and mood. Some additions would seem unusual today, including iron filings, which were once used to increase iron intake.

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES

Try It for Yourself This Easter

Visitors heading to English Heritage sites over the Easter weekend can experiment with these historic flavours. At locations hosting an Easter Quest, guests can add:

• Allspice to aid digestion
• Cinnamon to boost mood
• Ginger to soothe the stomach

Those interested in finding a participating site can visit the English Heritage Easter page here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/easter/

More information about the charity is available on the official website: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES

What They Said

Sam Bilton said:
“Long before the modern world of anti-aging, supplements and biohacking, chocolate was lauded as a health drink. As we are officially in chocolate season, I’ve worked with English Heritage to revisit these delicious chocolate beverages this Easter so that visitors to their properties can experience the flavours of the past.”

Beth Stone, Head of Visitor Experience at English Heritage, said:
“Who doesn’t love a bit of chocolate over Easter (or indeed all year). Whilst visitors who complete our Easter Quest will be rewarded with a more modern chocolate treat, at English Heritage sites we’re also offering those with an adventurous palate the opportunity to add some historic flavours to their hot chocolate or have a go at home with one of our recipes. I for one would have loved to have lived in a time when chocolate was considered good for your health!”

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES

📷HAVE A ‘HEALTHY’ CUP OF CHOCOLATE SAYS ENGLISH HERITAGE AS EASTER APPROACHES