First of all here is the answer to yesterday's quiz. Mlle de Charolais (Louise-Anne de Bourbon-Condé) has a cup of chocolate. She liked to be painted in the garb of a Franciscan nun, in order to annoy (or perhaps amuse) her lovers. This 18th century portrait is by Charles-Joseph Natoire. Chalky and Astra Libris both got the century right, but the winner is Anya, who rightly guessed it is chocolate!
Which of course brings us to the challenge...temptation. This woman is pouring chocolate in order to blend it. The illustration comes from the Aztec Codex Tudela (now in the Museo de América in Madrid) and is one of the primary sources for our knowledge of Aztec culture, including the history of chocolate. This Green and Black's 70% dark organic chocolate is their original luxury bar and is made with fairtrade Trinitario beans, which make up about 5% of the world's production of cocoa beans. Easter Sunday is on March 23. The challenge is to buy a fairtrade bar of chocolate and to carry it with you in your bag until Easter. The bar in the picture is already wrapped in a food bag deep down in my rucksack. Temptation should be resisted till at least Good Friday, March 21. Then you may enjoy a Cookiemouse chocolate breakfast, lunch or tea. Strictly speaking we should wait till Easter Sunday, but that weekend is also alright. Don't worry if you give in to temptation before then. It is quite a challenge. When chocolate first came to Europe in the 16th century many people debated whether it was a food and therefore something to give up during Lent, so this challenge follows in a fine tradition. Those who take it up are also invited to say in a few words something about their choice of favourite chocolate, which will then be linked to Cookimouse/Twitter. So go for it. Can you resist tempation?
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Cookie Mouse Chocolate Temptation
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13 comments:
Wow, I always learn so much from reading your posts :o). Keep up the good work!
Cookiemouse, your photo with a chocolate bar is amazing!! And the idea with the quiz is fantastic!!
My chocolate of choise recently is Cuorenero (100 % dark). The chocolate I want to try shortly (I'm keeping the list of chocolate-to-try) is Valhrona Organic (Dark)!
Dear All, have a great Valentine's Day!!!
See now I would have never guessed that it was chocolate. Though I should have if I had thought about your chocolate challenge. :-)
Nice brain teaser for me though.
I may have to attempt your challenge. I too am a huge fan of Green & Black's so I would have to resist the temptation of their Dark Chocolate with Hazelnuts and Currants bar.
I'll have to pick one up this weekend and keep it in my bookbag.
Now is it ALL chocolate that I have to avoid, or just the one I keep in my bag?
:-)
Nope. The one thing I can absolutely NOT resist is temptation. I might give it a go though, just to see if I surprise myself...
Thanks, CCV.
Anya, 100% dark? Sounds quite amazing.
Jennifer, we had the hazelnuts and currants bar on the weekend. That really would be a temptation.
Hannah, this a challenge where failure is just as much fun as success.
One more rule, or rather an escape clause. Should the weather get too warm then it's allowed to eat the chocolate before it melts.
Raw chocolate, daahling!
I love your blog!!!
Thanks, Kristen.
Jennifer, just the one in your bag will do. We must not overdo it!
My favourite chocolate ever is Green & Black's Maya Gold. Spicy cinnamony orangey goodness...
I don't think I can join your challenge, because the chocolate would be melted the moment I stepped out of the air conditioned shop!
Theresa, you have made me realize one of the constraints of this challenge is the weather. I touched my chocolate bar this morning in my bag. It was colder than in the refrigerator! Maya Gold is awesome!
Hey Leighton,
Thanks for the history I can just imagine the chocolate being poured like chai tea over and over until it is beautifully blended and the aroma permeates the air.
Hey I'm sure we have that Green and Blacks chocolate here!
Unfortunately mine would melt too. But the image of the person pouring chocolate has given me an idea. I could carry it for a few days in a thermos which I would tip upside down from time to time. Then pour it in a cup of warm soy at easter...? If it's not made with milk it might last that long... maybe...
Hey David. OK Australians get to write their own rules because of the climate there. The thermos idea sounds like it's following in the Aztec tradition. So go for it!
Although I'm pretty sure I won't be able to resist temptation that long I'll try to challenge myself. Maybe I'll even surprise myself? Can't wait to go shopping for chocolate after work now ;)
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