The sweet addiction

When I was first given the assignment to write an article about the exhibit "Kahveh, Choclatl, Ch'a: The New Flavors Arrive," located at the Lilly Library, I jumped on the chance. I am, in fact, addicted to all three: coffee, chocolate and tea. But I failed to realize the significance of the history of the three plants. \nAs I meandered through the exhibit, Becky Cape, head of reference and public services in the Lilly Library, guided the way. I asked her to explain the layout of the exhibition and why it is here at the Library. \n"We want to appeal to people in the summer. This exhibition also demonstrates the strong variety of the permanent collection of texts at the Lilly Library," she said. \nThe exhibition consisted of a collection of historic books, including John Coakley Lettsom's "The History of the Tea-tree: with Observations on the Medical Qualities of Tea and the Effects of Tea Drinking," a medical book from 1799 that explores medical procedures, including treating illnesses with tea; Richard Twining's "Observations on the Tea and the Window Act, and on the Tea Trade," from 1785; Oetzman & Co.'s "A Guide to House Furniture," which illustrates the growing importance of tea rooms and coffee pots in everyday life; and James Salter's "A Catalogue of the Rarities To Be Seen at Don Saltero's Coffee-House in Chelsea," from 1732. Also included are tea pots and coffee appliances from the late 19th and early 20th century, including a Bavarian tea pot with delicate pink roses titled "China roses."\nAs I walked through the library, the historical facts all seemed to realign into a time line for the three flavors. According to the "Kahveh, Choclatl, Ch'a" booklet, coffee, chocolate and tea arrived in Europe and the North American colonies from the Arabian Peninsula, Mexico and the Far East, practically at the same time thanks to the age of exploration at the turn of the 17th century. This exhibition includes historical references in texts from this time period along with medical writings and even cookbooks. \nAs the popularity and economic importance of coffee, chocolate and tea grew, the issues of trade agreements, taxation, laws and the products were pushed into the social and political spotlight. For example, the Boston Tea Party is one example from American history that demonstrates the resistance to taxation on tea. \nI also found the roles that coffeehouses and tea rooms have on creating discussion and debate, which resulted in many political coffee house publishings in England, amazing. \nThe appliances to make tea and coffee also became a staple in households and even appeared in popular literature. Included in the exhibit is a Russian samovar -- a gold-plated and very ornate tea pot -- displayed next to a copy of "War and Peace," which was the first book to make reference to samovars, in 1886. \nWalk down just about any street in town and there is an obvious demand for the three items, and it is not surprising that the businesses filling the demand become social gathering places filled with wide ranges of discussion. I asked Becky Clayton, manager of the Bloomington Antique Mall, what effect she hoped a new tea room might have on her business. \n"I think that it will attract people who might not have considered shopping in our mall. The traffic that the tea room will provide might open up the new customers not familiar with our business," she said. \nAs I left the exhibition, it dawned on me the impact coffee, chocolate and tea have on individuals and the world. Sophomore Jenna Piwoskin, who also toured the exhibit, commented that at least one of the items featured is a favorite.\n"I don't care for coffee or tea so much, but sometimes chocolate can be very refreshing," she said, "Some days I live for chocolate." \nSo if you love taking coffee breaks, enjoying delicious chocolate bars or sipping tea from time to time, go learn more about the history and culture that the impact of these flavors have had at the Lilly Library.