Drinking Ceremonial Cacao is a cherished personal journey that can facilitate a more profound meditation or intentional moment. This unique experience allows us to connect with our deeper selves, helping to foster personal growth and discovery.

Ceremonial-grade cacao, a key element of this journey, offers a unique and compelling experience, fostering a sense of belonging and interconnectedness with others.

For centuries, creatives have savored its rich, delicious flavour while harnessing its high levels of theobromine to stimulate the brain, ignite new ideas, and enhance focus, clarity, and insight. 

Although Cacao can be found in varying forms all around the planet, not all cacao products are created equal.

Here's a few quick and easy tips on how to pick a Ceremonial Cacao, from other product offerings.

PURE V POWDER

Turning raw cacao into cocoa powder removes the beans' naturally occurring butter, containing its all important minerals, antioxidants, flavanols and potency. The remaining nutrients depend on the variety and origin of cacao beans and how they have been processed. Cacao powder may offer the taste effect of Cacao, but is ideally meant for use in cooking or blends and does not deliver a potent dose of theobromine, generally required for that mood enhancing, heart opening experience.

Cacao is a versatile and nutritious ingredient in its unsweetened and minimally processed form. However, to earn the esteemed title of “ceremonial”, a cacao product should meet specific criteria - it must be crafted from high-quality Criollo beans, be organic and ethically sourced, and undergo traditional processing into a pure cacao bean paste.

Let's dive deeper into what makes cacao ceremonial grade.

ORIGIN

Ceremonial-grade cacao generally originates from ancestral lands such as Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, and Guatemala and many of the worlds most sought after brands are crafted from unique heirloom Criollo cacao beans. These beans are less robust and more subtle in taste than those from the Forastero trees, primarily used for mainstream chocolate products.

This wild Criollo strain is revered for its exceptional quality and concentration of joy-producing compounds, such as theobromine, serotonin, anandamide, methylxanthines, tryptophan, and phenylethylamine. These compounds make Criollo-derived cacao a pure and potent ingredient for the mind and body, offering the unique “heart-opening” sensation experienced during cacao ceremonies. This distinctive sensation sets Criollo cacao apart from the rest and has captivated millions who have experienced its holistic benefits over centuries.

TRADITION

Pure Cacao paste boasts more nutrients and mood-improving compounds than any other cacao-based product due to its traditional crafting process, founded in the Mayan and Olmec civilisations.

After fermenting and sun-drying the beans , they are hand-peeled and ground down on a stone mill into a paste. This process allows the Criollo bean to retain its beneficial properties while activating its fat content, essential for delivering its potent compounds around the body and creating its signature ceremonial cacao sensation.

This ancient process sets ceremonial cacao apart from other ultra-processed cacao products that lose their nutritional properties - nothing is removed from the whole cacao beans or added back in, including sugar and sweeteners. 

HIGH IN THEOBROMINE & LOW IN CAFFEINE

Theobromine is the primary alkaloid found in cacao products and contributes towards its typically bitter taste. It belongs to the same class of stimulants as caffeine, yet has vastly different effects.  

Like caffeine, theobromine produces increased feelings of alertness. However, unlike caffeine, theobromine doesn’t trigger the central nervous system; it is a cardiovascular stimulant that positively affects mood and concentration levels. This means it isn’t addictive, won’t create caffeine’s spike and crash sensation, and there are no withdrawal symptoms.

While cacao does contain very low levels of caffeine, it boasts around ten times more theobromine. So, while your morning coffee delivers a fast and high concentration of caffeine that kickstarts the nervous system for a quick buzz and a sense of focus, Ceremonial cacao's theobromine gently creates a euphoric feeling, a sense of warmth and deep, long-lasting focus.

Whilst there is no official certification at this time regarding what is and isn't Ceremonial Cacao , you can apply these additional questions below, to ensure your next cacao makes the grade.

- Is it pure organic paste or powder, blended of hot melted into other shapes?. Pure Ceremonial Cacao should be minimally processed

- Are the Theobromine and Caffeine levels shown on the packaging? if not, they may not be at the desired levels for a potent Ceremonial Cacao

- Is the product responsibly farmed, sourced and supportive of the local communities? Its important how the Cacao is sourced, treated and transported.

Empower your next circle or daily cup of goodness by selecting a Ceremonial Cacao that's a fit for you, your values and by simply listening to your body.