At 2 p.m. Sunday, you can get a chocolate fix in a heated circa-1830 carriage barn and learn a little something at Freeport Historical Society’s “Greetings from the Heart,” a historic romp through chocolate in American cookery.
“It’s our valentine to the community,” says society director Christina White. “We want to make it rich and fun.”
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Maine author and food historian Sandy Oliver will explain how chocolate, a Valentine’s Day staple, made its way into nearly everyone’s heart.
Chocolate was first served in America strictly as a beverage. Forget about the dark “hot chocolate” we drink today. Early chocolate beverages were milkier.
“We’ll have historically accurate chocolate beverages for folks to taste,” White said. “They have a high butter-fat content; they’ll be very rich.”
Next, guests will get to savor two different 19th-century chocolate cakes baked by Oliver.
And speaking of cakes, ever notice that there’s both an angel food cake and devil’s food cake? Why is that?
“Angel food was a bit of a fad,” explains Oliver. “It was a new development — something all beautiful, white and spongy. It became very fashionable in the late 19th century. There’s nothing that could be more opposite than a deep, dark, rich chocolate cake. The blackness suggested the ‘other side.’“
Many will remember “Devil Dogs.”
In a historic light, the innocent sweet treats appear to have a somewhat sinister past.
The event will also feature contemporary chocolate offerings from Freeport confectioner Wilbur’s of Maine. Andy Wilbur will discuss those distinctively Maine treats we know as needhams. Only Maine potatoes are used in Wilbur’s needhams.
And what Valentine’s Day program would be complete without a few old love letters?
“We have about seven of Anna Harrington’s love letters from when she was 17,” White said. “They’ll be on display; it’s been a long time, probably 150 years, since they’ve been viewed.”
The program will be at the society’s headquarters, 45 Main St., Freeport. Reservations are suggested but not necessary. Admission is $10; $8 for society members. Call the society at 865-3170 for more information.
Don Perkins is a freelance writer who lives in Raymond. He can be reached at:
presswriter@gmail.com
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