Ceremonial cacao is one of the most important medical remedies in the Mayan culture with a tradition that goes back thousands of years. It is used as a means of spiritual, mental and physical healing. Science also proves the positive effects of ceremonial cacao, or raw cacao, on the body and mind. The minerals and nutrients it contains make it a true superfood that, for example, strengthens our immune system, helps reduce stress and even releases happiness hormones. Here you can find out more about the positive effects of ceremonial cacao.

The biggest difference between ceremonial and regular cacao is the way it is grown, processed and consumed. Ceremonial cacao is 100% hand-processed raw cacao.

Ceremonial cocoa is always grown with respect for nature. Unlike normal cacao, it is not grown in monocultures or sprayed with chemical substances.

The processing is not done industrially like normal cacao, but by hand. This means that important nutrients and flavors are better retained in the ceremonial cacao.

Because ceremonial cacao is sold exclusively in its raw form, i.e. without the addition of sugar or milk, etc., the health benefits for our body and mind are significantly stronger than with regular cacao. If you want to know more about the differences between ceremonial cacao and regular cacao, check out our blog post on the topic.

Traditional preparation:

1. Boil a cup of water (~250 ml) in a kettle or saucepan and let it cool slightly.
2. Cut 15 - 30g of ceremonial cacao from the block and put it in a cup. The amount of cacao can be increased gradually, but should not exceed 30g per day. TIP: Cut the cacao a little smaller so that it dissolves better.
3. First, add some of the water (3 - 4 tablespoons) to the cacao and stir everything well until the cacao has dissolved. Feel free to take your time here.
4. Add the remaining water to the cup and enjoy the wonderful effect of ceremonial cacao on body, mind and soul.

 

Alternative preparation & tips:

• Put 15g (or up to 30g) of ceremonial cacao into a blender with 200-250ml of hot water and mix until it foams.
• Or you can use the raw cacao as an ingredient in foods, smoothies, breakfast bowls, ice cream, energy balls and much more!
• Alternatively, you can use milk instead of water if the cacao tastes too bitter with water.

We have various types of cacao in our shop that differ slightly in their production. The Original Cacao is 100% handmade. From drying in the sun to roasting and peeling to grinding in the traditional metate, every step of the process is done by hand. In addition, the Ajq'ijab' (spiritual leaders of the Maya) energize our ceremonial cacao during the process by cleaning it and using it in traditional spiritual practices that fill it with energy. If you would like to learn more about the production and processing of our ceremonial cacao, click HERE .

Absolutely! The main reason why the Maya opened up to the world and presented their sacred cacao is that they see ceremonial cacao as an opportunity to bring about a better relationship with nature, the earth and its inhabitants. Sustainability is therefore very important to the Maya and our indigenous producers. No chemical fertilizers or pesticides are used in our ceremonial cacao. The raw cacao is not planted in monocultures and although a cacao tree with a lifespan of 100 years only bears fruit for around 40 years, the fruit is not cut down to increase profits. The entire cultivation follows certain rules that ensure a symbiosis between animals, plants and people.

If you want to learn more about it, check out our page: Production & Processing.

Even better! All the people involved in the production of our ceremonial cacao have their own companies and set their own prices. They are paid about 10 times better than with Fair Trade. The same applies to all the other products in our shop.

Yes, our ceremonial cacao is 100% vegan and gluten-free. Our cacao is pure raw cacao and, depending on which cacao you choose, also spices: ginger, cinnamon or cardamom.