When chocolate was first popular, it was not only a dessert, but also had various health-care functions, and now it is not a lump, but brewed and drunk. At that time, people thought that chocolate (cocoa) could increase human energy, relieve pain and warm the stomach. Its function is equivalent to the kind of herbal tea or effervescent tablets we usually drink. Although it has different effects, it may mean that everyone can understand it.
Cocoa bean, the raw material of chocolate, comes from the cocoa tree in the American rainforest. Indians first discovered this magical plant. They used baking technology to turn cocoa beans into a drink called "chocolate", which was deeply loved by local aborigines. Later, with the opening of a new air route, the Spaniards came to this land for the first time and brought back chocolate. Since then, chocolate has become popular all over Europe.
Although the maritime ban was maintained in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, a steady stream of foreigners came to the mysterious eastern continent, bringing all kinds of strange new things. Unfortunately, although the emperors of Qing Dynasty were willing to accept those foreigners to preach in China, they never looked squarely at their science and technology, and only regarded these foreigners as a rarity, just like chocolate.
1706, the chocolate brought by foreigners set off a big upsurge, and even Kangxi, who was in the deep palace, heard about it. At this time, due to the magical effect of cinchona cream (quinine, used to treat malaria), Kangxi was interested in foreigners' things, especially medicines. As soon as he heard that this kind of "Chukola" can cure diseases, he immediately asked someone to get it for himself.
He is also a strange man, and he has a good relationship with Kangxi (if you are interested, you can find the part about He's serious illness in the Manchu translation of Zhu Pi in Kangxi Dynasty), and he is keen on keeping in good health, so he sent him to find the new Italian missionary Doro and asked for more than 150 pieces of chocolate.
He knew in Shi Heng that Kangxi, as the emperor, certainly didn't want to drink this kind of drink casually, so he made a small silver jar for him and put the chocolate bar in sugar water for Kangxi to drink. Afraid that Kangxi was not used to the taste of cocoa, he specially attached a description of nearly a thousand words. Oh, no, that's the food instructions.
Kangxi did read the instructions, but after reading them, he scolded him: "You only said that this chocolate is good for your health. What are the benefits? What diseases can you cure? " These are not clear, there is a problem! "He Shi Heng was scolded, hurriedly went to the missionary again, asked more than one question, and finally figured out the effect of chocolate.
He Shi Heng replied to Kangxi: "Chocolate is not medicine, such as American tea. You can drink it once a day or more. All elderly people, people with weak stomach, people with cold and diarrhea can drink it. People with internal heat, consumption, sores and diarrhea should not drink this. " Kangxi heard a sneer and thought that China tea was good enough. Why did he force himself to drink this bitter "American tea"? So I only said three words coldly: "I know" and never drank this chocolate again.