Introduction to Ceremonial Cacao

Watch the video above, or read the post below.

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What’s the difference between a standard block of chocolate and ceremonial cacao?

What exactly is a cacao ceremony?

Why not just drink cacao like it’s a regular hot choccy?

Well, imagine you’re about to dive into the chocolate river in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, because I’m certain that the more you learn about cacao, the more you’ll want to drink it!

The Creation of Cacao

Cacao is created using the ground paste of raw cacao beans. The beans are fermented first, then roasted. Once cool enough to handle, the shells are removed and the cacao is then ground, which naturally melts the oils, forming a paste. After a while this paste dries and solidifies, so it’s usually a hard block of cacao by the time it’s purchased.

Cacao includes the complete cacao bean with all its nutrients intact. What happens to typical Westernised chocolate is that the elements of cacao are separated into cocoa powder, mass, and butter. Then depending on the product, different amounts of these are combined with other ingredients. Which is where the percentage comes in – 90% means that the product contains 90% cacao products, and 10% sugar and flavouring. 

Is Cacao Healthy?

Cacao is a nutrient powerhouse!

Cacao is packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants. It has high amounts of calcium and magnesium, plus contains iron and zinc. The scientific name of the cacao plant is the theobroma cacao tree.

To get technical for a second, theobromine is the bitter alkaloid of the cacao plant. It’s essentially a stimulant that opens blood vessels, lowers blood pressure, allows for greater mental clarity and gives you energy.

Cacao also helps remove toxins, has anti-inflammatory properties and studies have shown that it increases production of DMT in the brain. In my experience, I always feel so energised and creative after I drink cacao.

It’s any wonder that theobroma literally translates to food of the gods (‘theos’ meaning god, ‘broma’ meaning food), with cacao having a long history in Aztec and Mayan culture.

Which is where the idea of ceremonial cacao comes in!

What Defines Ceremonial-Grade Cacao?

From my understanding, for cacao to be “ceremonial-grade,” is must be organically grown and harvested using traditional methods, in small batches and with minimal processing.

I initially thought that “ceremonial-grade” cacao was also blessed by a Mayan or Indigenous elder, but that’s apparently difficult to come by.

 However, I believe that cacao is inherently sacred – and your intention when making and drinking cacao is more important than someone you don’t personally know blessing the beans before you receive them!

 Cacao has a rich and detailed history in Aztec and Mayan cultures, and has always been used in rituals, for medicinal purposes, and enjoyed during everyday life, too. So, it seems that the use of cacao hasn’t always included blessings during the creation of the cacao paste, and perhaps “ceremonial-grade” is often more of a marketing term.

 In Central and South America, many traditions around cacao are still practiced, cacao beans in every form can be found at markets and you can attend cacao ceremonies and cacao farm tours too.

In 2019, my friend Sean and I visited a local family in Semuc Champey, Guatemala for a tour of their cacao trees followed by a hands-on experience roasting and grinding cacao beans. They were so welcoming and casual about the whole thing – cacao is simply just part of their everyday, their livelihood, and so engrained in their culture.

They handed us our freshly ground, still warm cacao paste wrapped in foil at the end of our tour. Not once was it blessed by anyone, at least while we were there, and there was no mention of a ceremony. It was a simple exchange, in a beautiful moment of connection, with the sole purpose of enjoyment.

What’s a Cacao Ceremony?

I was lucky enough to attend two group cacao ceremonies while travelling in 2019, one in Mexico and one in Guatemala, and both were quite different from each other.

Group cacao ceremonies are undeniably powerful – coming together with like-minded people while enjoying heart-opening, delicious cacao, is such a beautiful experience.

But anyone, anywhere can have a cacao ceremony on their own, with absolutely nothing but a mug of cacao needed.

You don’t need a fancy altar, or a meditation pillow. You don’t need candles or Tarot cards. Tools like these can make it extra special, but they’re not necessary. 

I believe that the only requirement for a cacao ceremony is that you appreciate every sip and mindfully drink the cacao.

Don’t just scroll Instagram or start work. Take the time for yourself, because the more you put in, the more you can gain from it.

Adding some kind of ritualistic element to making and drinking cacao allows you the time to really enjoy it, to set your intention for the day, or maybe even meditate or journal.

At the very least though, I urge you to take a second to be thankful for cacao, every time your drink it, whether in ceremony with yourself or others, or not.

I’ll share more cacao ceremony ideas soon!

Gratitude is Key

Whether you want to call it ceremonial cacao or simply cacao paste, never forget that many have considered this “food of the gods” as a sacred medicine for centuries, and it shouldn’t be taken for granted.

In recognising and feeling the weight of history and tradition that comes with it, the experience of drinking cacao is enriched. 

The ritual or ceremony, the time that you put in, and the intention you give to the cacao, pays homage to the generations of people, past and present, who have planted, nurtured, cultivated and created that cacao you now enjoy.

For me, having a little personal cacao ceremony when I drink it gives me an opportunity to think with gratitude, to set an intention, and to increase my positivity and overall happiness.

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I could talk for hours on this subject, about ceremonies, the health benefits, the spiritual aspects and everything in between! If you have any questions or feedback at all, please let me know, I’d love to hear from you – comment down below!

Are you going to try having your own cacao ceremony? Or would you like to join me for one?

Be sure to join my mailing list if you’d like to be notified of my next Cacao Ceremony!

Thanks so much for reading, I hope this was helpful!

With love,

Ebonie xx