The History and Culture of Drinking Hot Chocolate

Tuesday, 2nd December 2025 7:30pm by Prof Lynda Payne & Kathryn Laverack

Professor Lynda Payne formerly Chair of the Volunteers at Louth Museum, specialises in the history of medicine in Britain.

Kathryn Laverack is a Certified Chocolate Taster, Chocolate Educator and International Chocolate Judge.

Chocolate was introduced to England about 1600 and for the next 200 years it was primarily consumed as a hot drink. Lynda starts by focusing on the reasons and context for the popularity of drinking hot chocolate. Then we break for hot chocolate tasting. Kathryn concludes our presentation with a look at the taste profile of the chocolate consumed from the 1600s and the history of communities behind its farming and trading.

The lectures will be held either in the Methodist Church in Nichol Hill, LN11 9NQ, or online using Zoom. Visitors or members may request a Zoom link by emailing start.david@btinternet.com.