What Is Ceremonial Cacao?
Cacao, also known as “Food of the Gods” by the Aztec and Mayan civilizations, is the unprocessed version of chocolate and comes from the Theobroma cacao tree. Though spelled very similarly, cocoa and cacao are not the same thing. They both start as the same seed, but cocoa is processed at high temperatures, which gives it it’s sweeter flavor and destroys a lot of the naturally occurring antioxidants. Raw cacao is cold-pressed, which retains the living enzymes and gives it a more rich and bitter flavor.
Our Manipura organic cacao is sourced from the rainforests of Guatemala from single origin strains, carefully fermented, dried, and toasted. The artisan processing of the seeds allows an extraordinarily high-quality control. Each bean is hand peeled to ensure that it is in the perfect state!
What makes Cacao so special are the feel-good “bliss” chemicals it contains like theobromine and phenethylamine which help to activate the pleasure centers of your brain by encouraging the release of dopamine, serotonin, anandamide, and endorphins. This is the reason Cacao is known as a “heart opener”. Cacao is also full of vitamins, minerals and stress-relieving magnesium. Ceremonial Cacao stimulates blood flow to the heart and brain to help strengthen awareness and focus.
We sip the ancestral drink of Cacao to open our hearts and connect with ourselves and those around us. Opening the heart helps achieve bliss, connections with life, and a feeling of belonging and love toward others. Cacao Ceremonies can aid in energetic healing, allowing us to gain clarity in love, purpose, intuitive abilities, career, and personal growth.
How to prepare
Dosage
25g, Creative/yoga dose: Great for creative work such as writing, dance, music, artwork, yoga, and meditation.
28-45g, Ceremonial dose: The recommended dose for Cacao ceremonies that don't involve too much movement. A ceremonial dose of Cacao is 1 - 1.5 oz (28-42g). If you do not have a scale, you can measure by finely chopping the Cacao and measure two heaping spoonfuls.
57g, Full Shamanic dose: Amazing for shamanic journeying & deep meditation.
1 cup of water.
Sweetener of your choice: We like 1 teaspoon monk fruit powder, 1 date (add last, use blender to mix), 1 teaspoon of raw honey or maple syrup. Use less or more depending on your taste. Traditionally, ceremonial Cacao is served with no sweetener at all (it’s an acquired taste – meet your body where it’s at).
A splash of nut or seed milk of your choice.
A pinch of Himalayan Salt and cayenne.
1-2 teaspoons coconut oil to make it extra creamy (optional).
1 teaspoon maca for energy and an earthy taste (optional).
Combine all ingredients in a pot on low heat, and let the Cacao melt while constantly stirring it (don’t let it boil).
Things you can add to your Cacao…
Cayenne, Himalayan pink salt, rose, ginger, cinnamon, medicinal mushrooms, vanilla, honey, or agave. Cayenne helps to activate the Cacao quite a bit and just a pinch goes a long way.
Make an intention
Cacao is a plant medicine and it is best when consumed with intention. Enjoy your Cacao in a ceremonial space. Light a candle, smudge some Palo Santo, and close your eyes finding stillness and connecting with your breath. Call in what you would like to experience—presence, connection, clarity, etc., and give thanks to the power of Cacao.
