VOA慢速英语--巧克力迷学习甜品历史

AS IT IS 2016-02-14 Chocolate Lovers Learn History of the Sweets 巧克力迷学习甜品历史

Chocolate is an important part of Valentine’s Day celebrations in many countries.

People often buy boxed chocolates and give them to a loved one. In some areas, Valentine's Day is celebrated¹ with chocolate festivals.

At one such event near Washington, D.C., the visitors tasted all kinds of chocolates and learned about the history of these sweet treats.

"The tree grows these pods. You can feel what a pod feels like. It feels fake but..."

This chocolate festival took place recently in McLean, Virginia. Visitors started by learning about cocoa beans, the main substance used in chocolate.

"Inside, there are about 20 to 40 cocoa beans. And you see the white color here is actually the pulp² on the outside of the beans…"

The visitors got to see how the beans are separated from their husks, and then broken into smaller pieces. These cocoa nibs³ are ground on a heated stone. Spices and other ingredients are added to produce a block of chocolate.

The festival goers learn how chocolate was used mainly as a drink up to and through the 1880s. That was before the 1st candy bar was manufactured and sold.

That sound is David Borghesani, a chocolate historian, hitting a block of chocolate.

"It is just a little too hard for us to eat like a candy bar. So in Colonial chocolate making, they would have taken chocolate blocks in this form and grate it to make fine chocolate power."

The chocolate particles are then mixed with hot water in a container.

"We found an authentic⁴ colonial recipe, partnering with the folks at Colonial Williamsburg. The recipe dates back to the 1750s. And it is a recipe that actually documented nine different seasonings⁵ and spices in the recipe."

People who tasted the drink seemed pleasantly surprised.

"Oh, it is delicious. It is very good. It's very spicy⁶ and rich and not too sweet. It's been great for the kids. They enjoy trying different chocolates and then learning about how their favorite treats are made. Very educational!"

In a separate room, visitors also have a chance to taste and purchase chocolate products from local dealers⁷. Lynn Heinrichs is the president of the Rotary⁸ Club of McLean, which organizes the yearly festival.

"The proceeds from this event will help fund not just our local projects but some international projects, as well. For example, we have built a dental clinic in Swaziland, Africa. We also have the medical brigade, which is in Honduras, partners of surgery in Guatemala. We have bought computers for low income schools in Greece..."

She hopes the festival will help sweeten more lives than just those that taste the goods.

Words in This Story

pulp – n. the fairly soft white substance that is left after the cocoa beans are removed

nibs – n. shelled and crushed cocoa beans

grate – v. to cut (food) into very small pieces by rubbing it against a special tool (called a grater)

authentic – adj. real

brigade – n. a large group of people organized to act together

pods – n. a long, thin part of some plants that has seeds inside

husks – n. a usually thin, dry layer that covers some seeds and fruits

ingredients – n. one of the things that are used to make a food, product, etc.

candy bar – n. A solid, bar-shaped confection, as of chocolate or caramel.

1 celebrated   

adj.有名的，声誉卓著的

参考例句：

• He was soon one of the most celebrated young painters in England.不久他就成了英格兰最负盛名的年轻画家之一。
• The celebrated violinist was mobbed by the audience.观众团团围住了这位著名的小提琴演奏家。

2 pulp   

n.果肉，纸浆；v.化成纸浆，除去...果肉，制成纸浆

参考例句：

• The pulp of this watermelon is too spongy.这西瓜瓤儿太肉了。
• The company manufactures pulp and paper products.这个公司制造纸浆和纸产品。

3 nibs   

上司，大人物； 钢笔尖，鹅毛管笔笔尖( nib的名词复数 )； 可可豆的碎粒； 小瑕疵

参考例句：

• They were careful not to offend his nibs. 他们小心翼翼，不敢冒犯这位大人。
• Please tell his nibs that we'd like his help with the washing-up! 请转告那位大人，我们想请他帮助刷锅洗碗！

4 authentic   

a.真的，真正的；可靠的，可信的，有根据的

参考例句：

• This is an authentic news report. We can depend on it. 这是篇可靠的新闻报道, 我们相信它。
• Autumn is also the authentic season of renewal. 秋天才是真正的除旧布新的季节。

5 seasonings   

n.调味品，佐料( seasoning的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• It emphasizes the use of seasonings, so no two dishes ever taste alike. 它对调味品十分讲究。因此，没有两个菜会有同样的味道。 来自地道口语脱口SHOW 高中超越版
• The food made of flour and various seasonings is called moon cake. 中秋节的食品也是圆圆的，也象征着团圆，这种用面和各种作料做的食品叫月饼。 来自互联网

6 spicy   

adj.加香料的；辛辣的，有风味的

参考例句：

• The soup tasted mildly spicy.汤尝起来略有点辣。
• Very spicy food doesn't suit her stomach.太辣的东西她吃了胃不舒服。

7 dealers   

n.商人( dealer的名词复数 )；贩毒者；毒品贩子；发牌者

参考例句：

• There was fast bidding between private collectors and dealers. 私人收藏家和交易商急速竞相喊价。
• The police were corrupt and were operating in collusion with the drug dealers. 警察腐败，与那伙毒品贩子内外勾结。

8 rotary   

adj.(运动等)旋转的；轮转的；转动的

参考例句：

• The central unit is a rotary drum.核心设备是一个旋转的滚筒。
• A rotary table helps to optimize the beam incidence angle.一张旋转的桌子有助于将光线影响之方式角最佳化。