COncerning the first Point, I say, that Chocolate is a Name of the Indians; which in our vulgar Castili­an, we may call a certaine Confection, in which (amongst other Ingredients) the principall Basis, and Foundation, is the Cacao; of whose Nature and Quality it is necessary first to treat: And therefore I say, according to the common received opinion, that it is cold, and dry, à prae­dominio; that is to say, that though it be true, that every Simple containes in it the Qualities of the foure Elements, in the action, and re-action, which it hath in it, yet there results [Page 3] another distinct Quality, which we call Complexion.

This Quality, or Complexion, which ariseth of this Mix­ture, is not alwayes one, and the same; neither hath it the effect, in all the mixtures, but they may be varied nine wayes; foure Simple, from whence one onely quality doth abound; and foure Compounded, from whence two Symbolizing qua­lities are predominant, and one other, which we call ad pondus, which is of all these fore-said qualities, which are in aequilibrio, that is to say in equall measure and degree.

Of all these, the Complexion of Cacao is composed, since there arise two qualities, which are cold, and dry; and in the substance, that rules them, hath it restringent and obstructive, of the nature of the Element of the Earth. And then, as it is a Mixe, and not a simple Element, it must needes have parts correspondent to the rest of the Elements; and particularly, it partakes (and that, not a little) of those, which correspond with the Element of Aire, that is, Heat and Moysture, which are governed by the Unctuous parts; there being drawne out of the Cacao much Butter, which, in the Indies I have seene drawne out of it, for the Face, by the Criollas.

It may Philosophically be objected, in this manner: Two contrary Qualities, and Disagreeing, cannot be, in gradu inten­so, in one and the same Subject: Cacao is cold and drie, in pre­dominency: Therefore, it cannot have the qualities contrary to those; which are Heate, and Moysture. The first Proposition is most certaine, and grounded upon good Philosophy: The second is consented unto, by all: The third, which is the Conclusion, is regular.

It cannot be denyed, but that the Argument is very strong, and these reasons being considered by him of Marchena, have made him affirme, that Chocolate is Obstructive; it seeming to be contrary to Philosophy, that it there should bee found Heate and Moysture, in gradu intenso; and to be so likewise in Cold and Dry.

[Page 4] To this, there are two things to be answered: One, that he never saw the experience of drawing out the Butter, which I have done; and that when the Chocolate is made without ad­ding any thing to the dryed Powder, which is incorporated, onely by beating it well together, and is united, and made into a Paste, which is a signe that there is a moist, and glutinous part, which, of necessity, must correspond with the Element of Aire.

The other reason, we will draw from Philosophy; affirming that, in the Cacao, there are different Substances. In the one, that is to say, in that, which is not so fat, it hath a greater quantity of the Oylie, then of the earthy substance; and in the fatter parts, it hath more of the earthy than of the Oily substance. In these there is Heat and Moysture in predomi­nancy and in the other cold and dry.

Notwithstanding that it is hard to be believed, that in one and the same substance, and so little of the Cacao, it can have substances so different: To the end that it may appeare more easie, cleare, and evident, first we see it in the Rubarbe, which hath in it hot and soluble parts, and parts which are Binding, Cold and Dry which have a vertue to strengthen, binde, and stop the loosenesse of the Belly: I say also, that hee that sees, and considers the steele, so much of the Nature of the earth, as being heavy, thicke, cold, and dry; it seemes to be thought unproper for the caring of Opilations, but rather to be apt, to encrease them; and yet it is given for a proper remedy against them.

This difficulty is cleared thus, that though it be true, that it hath much of the Earthy part; yet it hath also parts of Sul­phur, and of Quick-silver, which doe open, and disopilate; neither doth it so, untill it be helped by Art, as it is ground, stirred, and made fine, in the preparing of it; the Sulphurous parts, and those of Quick-silver, being thinne, active, and pe­netrative, they mingle, at the last with those parts, which are [Page 5] Earthy and astringent: Insomuch, that they being mingled after this manner, one with another, we cannot now say, that the steele is astringent, but rather, that it is penetrative, at­tenuating, and opening. Let us prove this Doctrine by Au­thorities; and let the first be from Gallen, lib. 3. of the qua­lities of Simples, cap. 14. Where, first of all he teacheth, that almost all those Medicines, which, to our sence, seeme to bee simple, are notwithstanding naturally Compounded, contai­ning in themselves contrary qualities; and that is to say, a qua­lity to expell, and to retaine; to incrassate, and attenuate; to rarifie, and to condense. Neither are we to wonder at it, it being understood, that in every fore-said Medicine, there is a quality to heate, and to coole; to moisten and to dry. And whatsoever Medicine it bee, it hath in it, thicke, and thinne parts; rare, and dense; soft, and hard. And in the fifteenth Chapter following, in the same Booke, hee puts an example of the Broth of a Cocke, which moves the Belly; and the Flesh hath the vertue to binde. He puts also the example of the Aloes, which if it be washt, looseth the Purgative vertue; or that which it hath, is but weake.

That this differing vertue, and faculty, is found in divers substances, or parts of simple Medicaments, Gallen shewes in the first Booke of his simple Medicines, and the seven­teenth Chapter, bringing the example of Milke; in which, three substances are found, and separated, that is to say, the substance of Cheese, which hath the vertue to stop the Fluxe of the Belly; and the substance of Whay, which is Purging; and Butter, as it is expressed in the said Gallen, Cap. 15. Also we finde in Wine which is in the Must, three substances, that is to say, earth, which is the chiefe; and a thinner sub­stance, which is the flower, and may be called the scum, or froath: and a third substance, which we properly call Wine; And every one of these substances, containes in it selfe di­vers qualities, and vertues; in the colour, in the smell, and in other Accidents.

[Page 6] Aristotle in the fourth Booke of the Meteors and the first Chapter, treating of Putrifaction, hee found the same sub­stances; and in the second Chapter next following, where he that is curious, may read it. And also by the doctrine of Galen, and of Aristotle, divers substances are attributed to every of the mixt under one and the same forme and quantity; which is very conformable to reason, if we consider, that every Ali­ment, be it never so simple, begets, and produceth in the li­ver, foure humours, not onely differing in temper, but also in substance; and begets more or lesse of that humour, accor­ding as that Aliment hath more or fewer parts correspon­ding to the substance of that humour, which is most ingen­dred. And so in cold diseases, we give warme nourishment; and cold nourishment, in hot diseases.

From which evident examples, and many others, which we might produce to this purpose, wee may gather, that, when we grinde, and stirre the Cacao, the divers parts, which Nature hath given it, doe artificially, and intimately mixe themselves one with an other; and so the uuctuous, warme, and moist parts, mingled with the earthy (as we have said of the steele) represses, and leaves them not so binding, as they were before; but rather with a mediocritie, more inclining to the warme, and moist temper of the Aire, then to the cold and dry of the Earth; as it doth appeare when it is made fit to drinke; that you scarce give it two turnes with the Moli­net when there riseth a fatty scumme: by which you may see, how much it partaketh of the Oylie part.

From which doctrine I gather, that the Author of Mar­chena, was in an errour; who, writing of Chocolate, saith, that it causeth Opilations, because Cacao is astringent; as if that astriction were not corrected, by the intimate mixing of one part with an other, by meanes of the grinding, as is said be­fore. Besides, it having so many ingredients, which are na­turally hot, it must of necessity have this effect; that is to say, [Page 7] to open, attenuate, and not to binde, and, indeed, there is no cause of bringing more examples, or producing more reasons, for this truth, then that which we see in the Cacao it selfe: which, if it be not stirred, and compounded, as aforesaid, to make the Chocolate. But eating of it, as it is in the fruite, as the Criollas eate it in the Indies, it doth notably obstruct, and cause stoppings; for no other cause but this, that the divers substances which it containes, are not perfectly mingled by the mastication onely, but require the artificiall mixture, which we have spoken of before.

Besides, our Adversary should have considered, and called to his memory, the first rudiments of Philosophy, That, à dicto secundum quid, ad dictum simpliciter, non valet conse­quentia; As it is not enough to say, the Black-a-Moore is white, because his teeth are white; for hee may bee blacke, though he have white teeth; and so it is not enough io say, that the Cacao is stopping; and therefore the Confection, which is made of it, is also stopping.

The Tree, which beares this fruit, is so delicate; and the earth, where it growes, is so extreame hot, that to keepe the tree from being consumed by the Sun, they first plant other trees; and when they are growne up, to a good heighth, then they plant the Cacao-trees; that when it first shewes it selfe above the ground, those trees, which are already growne, may shelter it from the Sunne; and the fruit doth not grow naked, but ten or twelue of them are in one Gorde or Codde, which is of the bignes of a great blacke Figge, or bigger, and of the same forme, and colour.

There are two sorts of Cacao; the one is common, which is of a gray colour, inclining towards red; the other is broa­der, and bigger, which they call Patlaxte, and this is white, and more drying; whereby it causeth watchfulnes, and drives away sleepe, and therefore it is not so usefull, as the ordina­ry. This shall suffice to be said of the Cacao.

[Page 8] And as for the rest of the ingredients, which make our Chocolaticall Confection, there is notable variety; because some doe put into it blacke Pepper, and also Tauasco; which is not proper, because is is so hot and dry; but onely for one, A red roote like Madder. who hath a very cold Liver. And of this opinion, was a cer­taine Doctor of the Universite of Mexico, of whom a Religi­ous man of good credit told me, that he finding the ordinary round Pepper was not fit to bring his purpose about; and to the end, he might discover, whether the long red pepper were more proper, he made triall upon the liver of a Sheepe; and putting the ordinary pepper on one side, and the red pep­per Chile. on the other, after 24. houres, the part, where the ordi­nary pepperlay, was dryed up; and the other part continued moist, as if nothing had bin throwen upon it.

The Receipt of him who wrote at Marchena, is this: Of Cacaos, 700; of white Sugar, one pound and a halfe; Cinna­mon, 2. ounces; of long red pepper, 14. of Cloves, halfe an ounce: Three Cods of the Logwood or Campeche tree; or in stead of that, the weight of 2. Reals, or a shilling of Annis­seeds; as much of Achiote, as will give it the colour, which is about the quantity of a Hasell-nut. Some put in Almons, kernels of Nuts, and Orenge-flower-water.

Concerning this Receipt, I shall first say, This shooe will not fit every foote; but for those, who have diseases, or are inclining to be infirme, you may either adde, or take away, according to the necessity, and temperature of every one: and I hold it not amisse, that Sugar bee put into it, when it is drunke, so that it be according to the quantity I shall hereaf­ter set downe. And sometimes they make Tablets of the Sugar, and the Chocolate together; which they doe onely to please the Pallats, as the Dames of Mexico doe use it; and they are there sold in shops, and are confected and eaten like other sweet-meats. For the Cloves, which are put into this drinke, by the Author aforesaid, the best Writers of this [Page 9] Composition use them not; peradventure upon this reason: that although they take away the ill savour of the mouth, they binde; as a learned Writer hath exprest in these verses:

And because they are binding (and hot and dry in the third degree) they must not be used, though they helpe the chiefe parts of Concoction, which are the stomacke, and the Liver, as appeares by the Verses before recited.

The husks or Cods of Logwood, or Campeche, are very good, and smell like Fennell; and every one puts in of these, because they are not very hot; though it excuse not the put­ting in of Annis-seed, as sayes the Author of this Receipt; for there is no Chocolate without it, because it is good for many cold diseases, being hot in the third degree; and to temper the coldnesse of the Cacao; and that it may appeare, it helpes the indisposition of cold parts, I will cite the Verses of one, curious in this Art:

The quantity of a Nut of the Achiote is too little to colour the quantity made according to his Receipt; and therefore, Tabasco. he that makes it, may put it in, as much as he thinkes fit.

Those, who adde Almons, and Nuts, doe not ill; because they give it more body and substance then Maiz, or Paniso, which others use; and for my part, I should alwayes put it in to A graine like Millet Chocolate, for Almonds (besides what I have said of them before) are moderately hot, and have a thin juice; but you must not use new Almons, as a learned Author sayes in these Verses.

[Page 10] And the small Nuts are not ill for our purpose; for they have almost the temper, which the Almons have; onely be­cause they are dryer, they come nearer the temper of Choler; and doe therefore strengthen the Belly, and the Stomacke, being dryed: for so they must be used for the Confection; and they preserve the head from those vapours, which rise from the Belly: as it appeares by the said Author in these Verses.

And therefore they are proper for such as are troubled with ventuosities, and Hypochondriacall vapours, which offend the brain, and there cause such troublesome dreames, and sad ima­ginations.

Those who mixe Maiz, or Paniso, in the Chocolate doe very ill; because those graines doe beget a very melancholy Hu­mour: as the same Author expresseth in these verses.

It is also apparantly windy; and those which mixe it in this Confection, do it onely for theit profit, by encreasing the quan­tity of the Chocolate; because every Fanega or measure of Maiz, or Indian Wheat. Grani containing about a Bushell and a halfe, is sold for eight shillings, and they sell this Confection for foure shillings a pound, which is the ordinary price of the Chocolate.

The Cinamon is hot and dry in the third degree; it provokes Urine, and helpes the Kidneys and Reynes of those who are troubled with cold diseases; and it is good for the eyes; and in effect, it is cordiall; as appeares by the Author of these verses.

The Achiote hath a piercing attenuating quality; as appea­reth by the common practice of the Physitians in the Indies, experienced dayly in the effects of it, who doe give it to their [Page 11] Patients, to cut, and attenuate the grosse humours, which do cause shortnesse of breath, and stopping of urine; and so it may be used for any kind of Opilations; for we give it for the stoppings, which are in the breast, or in the Region of the bel­ly, or any other part of the Body.

And concerning the long red Peper, there are foure sorts of it. One is called Chilchotes: the other very little, which they call Chilterpin; and these two kindes, are very quicke and bi­ting. The other two are called Tonalchiles, and these are mo­derately hot; for they are eaten with bread, as they eate other fruits, and they are of a yellow colour; and they grow onely about the Townes, which are in, and adjoyning to the Lake of Mexico. The other Pepper is called Chilpaclagua, which hath a broad huske; and this is not so biting as the first; nor so gentle as the last: and is that, which is usually put into the Chocolate.

There are also other ingredients, which are used in this Confection. One called Mechasuchil; and another which they call Vinecaxtli, which in the Spanish they call Orejuelas, which are sweet smelling Flowers, Aromaticall and hot. And the Mechasuchil hath a Purgative quality; for in the Indies they make a purging potion of it. In stead of this, in Spaine they put into the Confection, powder of Roses of Alexandria, for opening the Belly.

I have spoken of all these Ingredients, that every one may make choise of those which please him best, or are most pro­per for his infirmities.

AS concerning the second poynt, I say, as I have said before, that though it be true, that the Cacao is mingled with all these Ingedients, which are hot; yet there is to be a greater quantity of Cacao; then of all the rest of the Ingredients, which serve to temper the coldnesse of the Cacao: Just as when wee seeke, of two Medicines of contrary qualities, to compound one, which shall be of a modera te temper: In the same manner doth re­sult the same action and re-action of the cold parts of the Cacao, and of the hot parts of the other ingredients, which makes the Chocolate of so moderate a quality, that it differs very little from a mediocrity; and when there is not put in any ordinary pepper, or Cloves, but onely a little Annis­seede (as I shall shew hereafter) we may boldly say, that it is very temperate. And this may be proved by reason, and ex­perience: (supposing that which Gallen sayes, to be true, that every mixt medicine, warmeth the cold, and cooleth the hot; bringing the example of Oyle of Roses.) By experience, I say, that in the Indies (as is the custome of that Countrey) I comming in a heat to visit a sicke person, and asking water to refresh me, they perswaded me to take a *Draught of Cho­colate; which quencht my thirst: and in the morning (if I Hicara; the shell of a Nut to drinke in. tooke it fasting) it did warme and comfort my stomacke. Now let us prove it by reason. We have already proved, that all the parts of the Cacao are not cold. For wee have made it appeare that the unctuous parts, which are many, be all hot, or temperate: then, though it be true, that the quantity of the Cacao is greater than of all the rest of the Ingredients, [Page 13] yet the cold parts are at the most, not halse so many as the hot; and if for all this they should be more, yet by stirring, & ming­ling of the warme unctuous parts, they are much qualified. And, on the other side, it being mixt with the other Ingredi­ents, which are hot in the second and third degree, being the predominant quality, it must needes be brought to a medi­ocrity. Like as two men, who shake hands, the one being hot, and the other cold, the one hand borrowes heat, and the other is made colder; and in conclusion, neither hand retains the cold, or heat it had before, but both of them remaine more temperate. So like wise two men, who goe to wrestle, at the first they are in their full vigour and strength; but after they have strugled a while, their force lessens by degrees, till at last they are both much weaker, than when they beganne to wrestle. And Aristotle was also of this opinion in his fourth Booke of the Nature of Beasts, cap. 3. Where he sayes, that every Agent suffers with the patient; as that which cuts, is made dull by the thing it cuts; that which warmes, cooles it selfe; and that which thrusts, or forceth forward, is in some sort driven backe it selfe.

From whence I gather that it is better to use Chocolate, af­ter it hath beene made some time, a Moneth at the least. I believe this time to be necessary, for breaking the contrary qualities of the severall Ingredients, and to bring the Drinke to a moderate temper. For, as it alwayes falls out at the first, that every contrary will have it predominancy, and will work his owne, Nature not liking well to be heated and cooled, at the same time. And this is the cause why Gallen in his twelfth Booke of Method, doth advise not to use Philonium, till after a yeare, or, at the least, sixe moneths; because it is a composi­tion made of Opium (which is cold in the fourth degree) and of Pepper, and other Ingredients, which are hot in the third degree. This Theorum, and Doctrine, is made good by the practise, which some have made, of whom I have asked, what [Page 14] Chocolate did best agree with them: and they have affirmed, that the best is that which hath beene made some moneths; and that the new doth hurt by loosening the Stomack; And; in my opinion, the reason of it is, that the unctuous or fat parts, are not altogether corrected, by the earthy parts of the Cacao. And this I shall thus prove; for, as I shall declare here­after, if you make the Chocolate boyle, when you drinke it, the boyling of it divides the fat and oyly part; and that makes a relaxation in the Stomacke in the old Chocolate, as well as if it were new.

So that I conclude in this second poynt, that the Chocolati­call Consection is not so cold as the Cacao, nor so hot as the rest of the Ingredients; but there results from the action and re-action of these Ingredients, a moderate temper which may be good, both for the cold and hot stomacks, being taken mo­derately, as shall be declared hereafter; and it having beene made a moneth at the least; as is already proved. And so I know not, why any man having made experience of this Con­fection (which is composed, as it ought to be, for every parti­cular) should speake ill of it. Besides, where it is so much used, the most, if not all, as well in the Indies, as in Spaine, find, it agreeth wel with them. He of Marchena had no ground in saying, that it did cause Opilations. For, if it were so, the Liver being obstructed, it would extenuate its subject; and by experience; we see to the contrary, that it makes fat; the rea­son whereof I shall shew hereafter. And this shall suffice for the second Poynt.

HAving treated in the first poynt, of the definition of Chocolate, the quality of the Cacao, and of the other Ingredients; and in the second Point, of the Complexion, which results from the mixture of them; There remaines now in the third poynt, to shew the way how to mingle them: And first I will bring the best Receipt, and the most to the purpose, that I could find out; although it be true which I have said, that one Receipt can­not be given, which shall be proper for all; that is to be un­derstood of those, who are sicke; for those that are strong, and in health, this may serve: and for the other (as I have said in the Conclusion of the first Poynt) every one make choyse of the Ingredients, as they may be usefull, to this, or that part of his body.

THere remaines to be handled in the last Poynt, of the Quantity, which is to be drunke: at what Time; and by what persons: because if it be drunk beyond measure, not onely of Chocolate, but of all other drinkes; or meates, though of themselves they are good and wholsome, they may be hurtfull. And if any finde it Opilative, it comes by the too much use of it; as when one drinkes over much Wine, in stead of comforting, and war­ming himselfe, he breedes, and nourisheth cold diseases; be­cause Nature cannot overcome it, nor turne so great a quan­tity into good nourishment. So he that drinks much Choco­late, which hath fat parts, cannot make distribution of so great a quantity to all the parts; and that part which re­maines in the slender veines of the Liver, must needs cause Opilations, and Obstructions.

To avoyd this inconvenience; you must onely take five or sixe ounces, in the morning, if it be in winter; and if the par­ty who takes it, be Cholericke, in stead of ordinary water, let him take the distilled water of Endive. The same reason serves in Summer, for those, who take it physically, having the Liver hot and obstructed. If his Liver be cold and ob­structed, then to use the water of Rubarb. And to con­clude, you may take it till the Moneth of May; especially in [Page 20] temperate dayes. But I doe not approve, that, in the Dog­dayes, it should be taken in Spaine, unlesse it bee one, who by custome of taking it, receives no prejudice by it. And if he be of a hot Constitution, and that hee have neede to take it in that season, let it, as is said before, be mingled with water of Endive; and once in foure dayes, and chiefely when he finds his stomacke in the morning to be weake and fainting. And though it be true, that, in the Indies, they use it all the yeare long, it being a very hot Countrey, and so it may seeme by the same reason it may be taken in Spaine: First, I say, that Custome may allow it: Secondly, that, as there is an extraor­dinary proportion of heat, so there is also of moisture; which helpes; with the exorbitant heate, to open the pores; and so dissipates, and impoverisheth our substance, or naturall vigor: by reason wherof, not only in the morning; but at any time of the day, they use it without prejudice. And this is most true, that the excessive heate of the Countrey, drawes out the natu­rall heat, and disperseth that of the stomacke, and of the in­ward parts: Insomuch, that though the weather be never so hot, yet the stomacke being cold, it usually doth good. I do not onely say this of the Chocolate, which; as I have proved, hath a moderate heat. But if you drink pure wine, be the wea­ther never so hot, it hurts not, but rather comforts the sto­mack; and if in hot weather you drinke water, the hurt it doth is apparent, in that it cooles the stomacke too much; from whence comes a viciated Concoction, and a thousand o­ther inconveniences.

You must also observe, that it being granted, as I have said, that there are earthy parts in the Cacao, which fall to the bot­tome of the Cup, when you make the drinke, divers are of the opinion, that, that which remaines, is the best and more sub­stantiall; and they hurt them selves not a little, by drinking of it. For besides, that it is an earthy substance, thick, and stop­ping, it is of a melancholy Nature; and therefore you must [Page 21] avoyd the drinking of it, contenting your selfe with the best, which is the most substantiall.

Last of all, there rests one difficulty to be resolved, formerly poynted at; namely, what is the cause, why Chocolate makes most of them that drinke it, fat. For, considering that all of the Ingredients, except the Cacao, doe rather extenuate, than make fat, because they are hot and drye in the third degree. For we have already said, that the qualities which doe predo­minate in Cacao, are cold, and dry; which are very unfit to adde any substance to the body. Neverthelesse, I say, that the many unctuous parts, which I have proved to be in the Cacao, are those, which pinguifie, and make fat; and the hotter in­gredients of this Composition, serve for a guide, or vehicall, to passe to the Liver, and the other parts, untill they come to the fleshy parts; and there finding a like substance, which is hot and moyst, as is the unctuous part, converting it selfe into the same substance, it doth augment and pinguifie. Much more might bee said from the grounds of Philosophy, and Physicke; but because that is fitter for the Schooles, than for this discourse, I leave it, & only give this Caution, that in my Receipt, you may adde Mellon-seeds, and seeds of Pompions of Valencia, dryed, and beaten into powder, where there is any heat of the Liver or Kidnyes. And if there be any ob­structions of the Liver, or Spleene, with any cold distemper, you may mixe the powder of Ceterach; to which you may adde Amber, or Muske, to please the scent.

And it will be no small matter, to have pleased all, with this Discourse.