From renowned philosophers to acclaimed artists, the mysterious synergy of coffee and chocolate has long been celebrated as a muse for creative genius. Join us on a captivating journey as we delve into the intriguing connection between mocha and the minds of historical geniuses. Discover how the irresistible flavours of coffee and chocolate have inspired some of the greatest thinkers in history and continue to captivate our taste buds and imaginations today!
Ludwig van Beethoven
Beethoven might have been a little too early to enjoy the delights of an urban chocolatier, but he was ahead of the game when it came to coffee. The famous composer was said to consume large amounts of the drink, even spending time in the early coffee houses of Vienna. Rumour has it Beethoven was very particular about his coffee too, to the extent that he counted out 60 beans for each cup!
M. de Voltaire
Historian, writer and philosopher, François-Marie Arouet was better known by his nom de plume, M. de Voltaire. Often considered one of the greatest literary figures of all time, Voltaire was celebrated for his writings on history, culture, religion and philosophy and it was, perhaps, his love of coffee that fuelled his success.
If legend is believed, Voltaire was said to drink a whopping 40-50 cups of coffee each day and he was an early proponent of the art of chocolate too. Apparently, Voltaire enjoyed a brew that consisted of coffee and chocolate, so it could be said he was an early aficionado of the modern-day mocha.
Marie Antoinette
Her eponymous cry of ‘Let them eat cake!’ may not have endeared her to the masses but Marie Antoinette knew a thing or two about breakfasts. According to reports, she enjoyed coffee or hot chocolate every morning, along with a pastry or two. While she may not have reigned for all that long before the French Revolution put an end to the French regency, there’s no doubt she enjoyed the unparalleled combination of chocolate and coffee before her demise.
L. Frank Baum
You may not recognise the name, but you certainly know his work. L. Frank Baum was a successful American writer, best known for his children’s books and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz series. But what inspired his creativity and fuelled his success? Well, coffee may have played a part!
Baum apparently consumed four or five cups of coffee each morning, enjoying cream and sugar with each cup. Despite this, Baum was said to like his coffee strong enough ‘to float a spoon on it without sinking’, so we can only imagine the caffeine hit that got his brain working!
Marcel Proust
Essayist, novelist and critic, Marcel Proust is famed for his seven-volume novel, In Search of Lost Time, as well as non-fiction works, Pastiches et mélanges and Against Sainte-Beuve. While his writing has undoubtedly stood the test of time, his love of coffee is perhaps a less known element of Proust’s life.
According to his housekeeper, coffee was one of the few things Proust consumed, drinking two bowls upon waking, along with hot milk and two croissants, with very little else passing his lips.
Gertrude Stein
The famous American poet, novelist, playwright and art collector was a huge fan of coffee, once describing it as, “…a lot more than just a drink; it’s something happening… It gives you time, but not actual hours or minutes, but a chance to be, like be yourself, and have a second cup.”
For many people, a cup of mocha is just that: a chance to centre yourself, unwind and enjoy a few minutes of peace amidst a hectic schedule. What’s more – the invigorating properties of coffee and chocolate can actually help to boost alertness and empower you to take on the day.
Teddy Roosevelt Jr.
Serving as President of the United States of America from 1901 – 1909, Teddy Roosevelt Jr. was known as a statesman, historian, conservationist… and coffee lover. In fact, his son once described his father’s coffee mug as ‘more in the nature of a bathtub’, such was its size.
While many people enjoy the bitter flavour of a black coffee, it seems Teddy Roosevelt Jr. was a fan of a sweeter variety. If rumours are to be believed, he added around five to seven lumps of sugar to each cup!
Fortunately, you don’t have to resort to adding tonnes of sugar to your coffee to enjoy the combination of coffee and sweetness. Instead, why not sample our Geniuses chapter straight from our chocolate studio and enjoy the unmistakable blend of coffee and bean-to-bar chocolate?
Johann Sebastian Bach
One of the most popular composers of all time, Bach’s love of coffee saw him transform a poem by Picander into ‘The Coffee Canata’ in the early 18th century. Containing the infamous line, “Without my morning coffee, I’m just like a dried-up piece of roast goat”, Bach clearly knew a thing or two about the stimulating properties of coffee!
Coffee and Chocolate: A Blend Made for Success
First roasted and brewed in the 15th century in Yemen, coffee has been a popular drink throughout the ages. While its flavour my account for some of its popularity, its brain-boosting, energy-giving properties no doubt had an impact on its widespread popularity and chocolatiers UK have continued to enhance its impact by combining with it chocolate.
Of course, coffee isn’t the only delicious bean to boost your brain power and your stamina. Cocoa beans are known to have a similar effect, which is one of the reasons independent chocolatiers UK are such fans of the combination.
Whether it’s the mix of sweet and bitter flavours, the unique mouthfeel of melting chocolate and crunchy beans or the burst of energy each of these ingredients offers, there’s no doubt that every artisan chocolatier (and chocolate lover) recognises the benefits that coffee and chocolate offer.
So, if you want to walk in the footsteps of history’s greats, why not start by sampling the perfect blend of chocolate and coffee from your favourite chocolatier UK?
You won’t even need to search for chocolatier London or chocolatier near me to get your hands on our delicious Geniuses chapter. With same-day dispatch and worldwide delivery, you’ll be enjoying our delectable chapter sooner than you think!