Cacao explained
The same bean, a very different product
Ceremonial cacao and cacao powder both start with the cacao bean, but from there they go in different directions. The biggest difference is in the cacao butter, the texture and how you use each form.
Want to know what we mean by ceremonial cacao first? Read What is ceremonial cacao?
In short
The main difference
Cacao powder
Cacao powder is made after part of the natural cacao butter has been pressed out of the cacao mass. What remains is ground into a dry powder.
This makes it easy to measure and useful for baking, smoothies, desserts and hot chocolate.
Ceremonial cacao
Ceremonial cacao is made from the whole cacao mass. The naturally present cacao butter stays in the cacao.
This means the cacao melts into a fuller, richer and creamier drink.
Cacao powder
What is cacao powder?
After cacao beans have been processed into cacao mass, that mass can be pressed. Part of the cacao butter is separated during this process. The remaining cacao solids are then ground into cacao powder.
Pure cacao powder does not have to contain sugar. That is different from many instant hot chocolate powders, which may also contain sugar, milk powder or other ingredients.
Cacao powder is especially useful when you want to use cacao as an ingredient.
- cakes, cookies and brownies
- smoothies and breakfast bowls
- hot chocolate
- desserts and sauces
- adding a little cacao flavour to a recipe
Whole cacao mass
What is ceremonial cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is made from the whole cacao mass. The natural cacao butter remains part of the product and is not removed as it is with cacao powder.
This is why cacao is usually sold as a solid block or a pre-portioned solid piece. You cut, break or chop the cacao and then let it melt into a warm liquid.
The term ceremonial is not a legally protected quality category. For us, it mainly means that the cacao itself is at the centre: pure cacao mass that you can prepare as a full drink and consciously take a little time for.
And that does not have to mean an elaborate ritual. Ceremonial cacao can just as easily be your morning drink.
Side by side
Ceremonial cacao vs cacao powder
Cacao butter
With ceremonial cacao, the natural cacao butter stays part of the cacao mass. With cacao powder, part of it has been removed.
Form
Cacao powder is dry and powdery. Ceremonial cacao is a solid cacao mass that you can cut, break and melt.
Texture
The cacao butter gives ceremonial cacao a fuller and creamier texture. Cacao powder mixes more lightly into a drink or recipe.
Flavour
Ceremonial cacao generally has a fuller and richer flavour profile. Cacao powder easily gives you a familiar cacao flavour without the same full texture.
Portioning
You usually measure cacao powder with a spoon. A cacao block is weighed. Our Cacao Bars are already pre-portioned: one Bar is one cup.
Use
Cacao powder is often used as an ingredient. Ceremonial cacao is often prepared as a drink, but can also be used in recipes.
In your cup
How do you prepare ceremonial cacao?
For an everyday cup, we use around 20 grams of ceremonial cacao. For a ceremonial moment, we use around 40 grams. Anything in between can be adjusted to your taste and the moment.
Use around 200 to 300 ml of water, regular milk, plant-based milk or tea.
Warm your cacao, don't boil it
We heat the liquid for cacao to a maximum of around 70 °C. Do not let the liquid or cacao boil, as high temperatures can make the flavour more bitter or flat.
Using honey as a sweetener? Add it only after your cacao has cooled slightly.
Want to see the full preparation method? Go to How to prepare ceremonial cacao .
More than a drink
Can you bake with ceremonial cacao too?
Absolutely. Ceremonial cacao does not only have to end up in your cup.
Because it is whole cacao mass, you can also finely chop or melt it and use it in things like:
- banana bread
- cookies or brownies
- breakfast porridge
- smoothies
- desserts
- toppings
You can also eat our Cacao Bars straight or use them in recipes.
From our kitchen
Feel like trying something different?
On our recipe page, you will find warm and cold cacao, chai cacao, banana bread, smoothies and our homemade almond milk from the slow juicer.
Which one do you choose?
When do you choose cacao powder and when ceremonial cacao?
One is not automatically better than the other. They mainly serve different purposes.
Choose cacao powder when you...
- want something easy for baking
- want to measure cacao with a spoon
- need a dry cacao base
- want to make a lighter hot chocolate
- mainly use cacao as an ingredient
Choose ceremonial cacao when you...
- want a full, rich cacao drink
- want to use the whole cacao mass including the cacao butter
- want to decide how much cacao goes into your cup
- want to drink cacao during yoga, meditation, breathwork or journaling
- want to use cacao in recipes too
At CacowGirls
Cacao in two ways
At CacowGirls, you can choose between an easy one-cup serving or a larger cacao block that you portion yourself.
Cacao Bars
Our Cacao Bars weigh 36 grams and one full Bar is made for one cup.
LOVE, FOCUS, RELAX, HEAL and EMPOWER combine cacao with herbs and mushrooms. CARDAMOM is made from 100% ceremonial cacao from Kerala and cardamom through fermentation.
Cacao blocks
Our cacao blocks contain 500 grams of ceremonial cacao and are made for anyone who likes to choose their own dose or make several cups at once.
Choose between ceremonial cacao from India, ceremonial cacao from Peru and our India version with cardamom.
Keep reading
Want to know more about cacao?
In our Cacao Guide, you will find everything in one place: India versus Peru, Cacao Bars, dosage, preparation, herbs, mushrooms and which product suits which moment.