Not Your Mother's Hot Chocolate: Chocolate's Ancient Origins and Tasty Tales October 4, 2012

For more than 3500 years, cacao worked its magic in ancient Mesoamerica as aphrodisiac, analgesic, currency, status marker and in many other surprising ways. Dr. Elin Danien will present an illustrated talk revealing unexpected, amusing and sometimes shocking uses of chocolate. She will explain how its introduction to Europe helped foment revolution, support dynasties, bolster economies, create orgies, influence religious edicts, and play a role in murder.