The Chocolate King
Ratings1
Average rating5
15
Ratings1
Average rating5
Benjamin loves chocolate. He also knows a lot about it. But one person knows more - his grandfather Marco, otherwise known as the Chocolate King. Benjamin’s family arrive in France at the beginning of the 17th century, having escaped the Spanish Inquisition. They have nothing but the clothes on their backs and as many cocoa beans as they can carry. Back in Spain, Benjamin’s grandfather Marco was El Rey de Chocolate, famed for his delicious hot chocolate drink, a recipe he claims he learned from an intrepid Spanish explorer. But now, if the family are to make a living, they must persuade the people of France to fall in love with Marco’s strange mud-colored concoction. Benjamin is desperate to help, dreaming that he might grow up to wear the Chocolate King crown. Then, one day, Benjamin causes chaos in the kitchen. Covered head-to-toe in chocolate, he stumbles into the street and straight into the path of the real King - the King of France. Finally, the family get the breakthrough they need, and all of Benjamin’s dreams start to come true.
Reviews with the most likes.
We take chocolate for granted today - many of us do not stop to think that it was not as widely accepted in the past. The Aztecs had a delicious hot chocolate recipe that they made, and Marco, the Chocolate King, has learned this recipe - and sold it widely in Spain before they were forced to leave. When they made it to France, they found it was very hard to make a living by selling chocolate, that is, until Benjamin has an accident and stumbles out in front of the French king!!
With royal patronage, the family soon has enough money to buy more beans, and also add new spices to their drinks, to add new flavors. What a great end to a messy accident!
This was a cute read, and I loved the history that was included as well. If you love hot chocolate, then you are going to want to try the recipe that is shared in the book (it is delicious, and we enjoyed it here at home). Grab this fun book and share a little history in the guise of a cute story!
