KS 2 - Chocolate Passion
Friday, February 9th, 2007
Mark J. Sciscenti is a Chocolate Historian, Chocolate Artisan.
Mark’s passion is chocolate. Having grown up in an archaeological family, he is fascinated by food and spice history. The owner of Kakawa Chocolate House in Santa Fe, NM, he has been studying the history of chocolate for many years, from it’s beginnings in Central America through the European transgression and up to the present day. He has been giving educational presentations on the history of chocolate along with professional chocolate tastings for over three years to museums, institutions, schools and business. He has lectured at the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology for their 23rd Annual Mayan Weekend; at Columbia University for the 10th annual Botanical Medicine Conference at the New York Botanical Garden; the University of Arizona’s Integrative Medicine Nutrition & Health Conference; the Denver Art Museum; and the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe. Being an excellent alchemist, Mark has developed historically accurate chocolate drinks based upon traditional ancient Mesoamerican information, historic European and American recipes. He is a pastry chef and has been a professional and self-taught experimental baker since 1984. In 1999 he became certified as an Herbalist. He has a BA in Liberal Arts with a focus in Human Ecology, Environmental Studies, Ecology, Environmental Politics, Multicultural Spirituality; Holistic Healing Modalities; and Professional Massage Therapy.
Upcoming Tour:
Cacao and the Ancient Maya of Southern Mexico
February 19th - March 4th, 2007
Tour Leaders: Mark Sciscenti, Christopher Powell, and Alonso Mendez
This ten day tour will bring you through the birth place of one of the world’s most treasured substances - chocolate. Led by the owner of Kakawa Chocolate House and two eminent Mesoamerican Scholars, each day will feature something new - cacao plantations, ancient Maya ruins, natural wonders, and visits to local villages. You’ll learn about how the ancients used cacao and try your hand at making traditional chocolate for yourself. Evening presentation will further explain the things you learn about along the way, including a special event.
To learn more visit www.kakawachocolates.com
If you are interested in chocolate Mark recommends the following: ‘The History of Chocolate’ by Sophie D. Coe, Michael D. Coe; ‘The Essence of Chocolate’ by John Scharffenberger; ‘The New Taste of Chocolate’ by Maricel Presilla; ‘Chocolate in Mesoamerica: A Cultural History of Cacao’ by Cameron McNeil
We gratefully thank the Podsafe Music Network and Antonin Bastian for his song: Tu Cha Cha Cha used in the Podcast. PLEASE support his music by visiting him at http://www.myspace.com/antoninbastian
In her first Podcast, Kate talks with Carolyn Parrs, Irv Weinberg, and John Biethan of 
