Chiapa Chocolate
The narrative centers on a Dominican priest, Thomas Gage, who passionately defends chocolate against the medical objections of his time. He recounts his experiences in Chiapa, a small town in Mexico, where he served as a priest. Gage describes the town's social dynamics, particularly the wealthy Creole families who, despite their noble lineage, are portrayed as ignorant and self-indulgent. The central conflict arises between Gage's superior, Bishop Dom Bernard de Salazar, and the local women, who insist on consuming chocolate during church services. The bishop, determined to uphold the sanctity of worship, attempts to curb this practice, leading to a series of confrontations. His initial attempts to persuade the congregation fail, as the ladies prioritize their indulgence over spiritual devotion. As the bishop escalates his efforts, including issuing an excommunication for those who disobey his decree, the women respond with defiance, continuing to drink chocolate in church. The situation intensifies when the bishop's authority is challenged, leading to a standoff where the ladies refuse to attend services if they cannot bring their chocolate. Despite the bishop's unwavering stance, the women remain obstinate, even mocking his excommunication. The conflict culminates in the bishop's illness, which is later revealed to be the result of poisoning, presumably orchestrated by the very women he sought to discipline. In his final moments, he expresses forgiveness for them, highlighting the tragic irony of his dedication to duty and the consequences of his rigid adherence to principle. The story concludes with Gage's departure from Chiapa, wary of the lingering animosity from the women, and a cautionary proverb emerges, warning against the dangers of Chiapa chocolate. The narrative serves as a commentary on the intersection of religious authority, social customs, and personal indulgence, illustrating the complexities of human behavior and the often-contentious relationship between tradition and change.
By Sabine Baring-Gould · First published 1897 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Satire, Religious Fiction · 3,248 words
First lines
Gage, the Dominican, a great admirer of chocolate, a man who combated with all his energy the objections which medical men of the seventeenth century made to its use, derived its name from _atte_, the Mexican word for water, and the sound it makes when poured out, -- choco, choco, choco, choco!
O Professor Max Mueller! what do you say to this? Whatever the derivation of the name may be, the composition of the beverage is well known. Cacao, sugar, long-pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, almonds, mace, aniseed, are the main constituents, and the cake-chocolate used in Britain is believed to be made of about one-half genuine cacao, the remainder of flour or Castile soap.
What this Textopian page supports
Chiapa Chocolate is listed on Textopian as a short story by Sabine Baring-Gould, dated 1897 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: Sabine Baring-Gould
- Date: 1897 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Historical Fiction, Satire, Religious Fiction, Cultural Commentary, Biographical Fiction
- Length: 3,248 words
- Structure: 1 section, 60 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Fairly Difficult (10th-12th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Chiapa Chocolate by Sabine Baring-Gould
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Discussion starters
- What should a reader notice first when entering Chiapa Chocolate?
- How does this short story by Sabine Baring-Gould fit its genre, period, or classroom use?
- Where does Historical Fiction first become important in the reading?
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Genres
- Historical Fiction — The narrative is set in a historical context, focusing on the events surrounding the use of chocolate in Chiapa during the 17th century.
- Satire — The text employs humor and irony to critique social customs and the behavior of the clergy and the ladies of Chiapa.
- Religious Fiction — The story revolves around the conflict between religious practices and personal habits, particularly in the context of church services.
- Cultural Commentary — The work explores cultural attitudes towards chocolate and its significance in social and religious contexts.
Tags
chocolate · Mexico · Chiapas · cultural history · food · agriculture · sustainability · indigenous peoples · tradition · culinary · ethnobotany · trade