Cacao as a coffee alternative
For many people, coffee is almost automatically part of the morning. But more and more people are discovering ceremonial cacao as an alternative. Not because cacao does the same thing as coffee, but because it can also be a warm and energising morning moment and may feel different. So what is the difference?
In short
Coffee is mainly about caffeine. Cacao contains a smaller amount of caffeine and is especially known for theobromine. Many people describe coffee as faster and sharper, and cacao as warmer and more gradual. That remains a personal experience. Both can be stimulating.
Want to know what ceremonial cacao actually is and why it is different from cacao powder? Read What is ceremonial cacao?
Jump to
The comparison
Coffee and ceremonial cacao in short
Coffee
Coffee is often chosen when you want to wake up and feel more alert quickly. Caffeine is the main stimulating compound.
For some people, that works perfectly. Others notice more restlessness, a wired feeling or that coffee does not sit as well on an empty stomach.
Ceremonial cacao
Cacao naturally contains both caffeine and theobromine, with theobromine being an important compound in cacao.
Many people experience cacao as warmer and more gradual. It is also a fuller drink because the natural cacao butter remains part of the whole cacao mass.
No right or wrong
We do not see cacao as the good version of coffee. You can love coffee and still drink cacao. It is mostly about what feels good, what you need at that moment and how your body responds to both.
Coffee
Why does coffee often feel so immediate?
For many people, coffee is linked to waking up, working and getting on with the day. You make a cup, drink it and often notice the caffeine relatively quickly.
That may be exactly what you are looking for. Especially if you tolerate coffee well, there is nothing wrong with that.
At the same time, some people notice that coffee does not only make them feel more awake, but also a little more wired. A higher amount of caffeine can, for sensitive people, go together with restlessness, shaking, a faster heartbeat, stomach issues or trouble sleeping.
Sometimes it is not the coffee, but the pattern
The first cup because you are tired. Another because you need to work. And one more halfway through the afternoon because your energy drops. For some people, that automatic pattern is exactly the reason to try cacao as a different morning moment.
Ceremonial cacao
What makes cacao different from coffee?
Ceremonial cacao is made from whole cacao mass. The naturally present cacao butter stays part of the cacao. This gives you a much fuller drink than coffee.
Cacao naturally contains both theobromine and caffeine. Many people therefore describe the experience differently from coffee. Less like a quick peak and more like a warm, steady form of alertness.
That is not a guarantee of what you will experience. Cacao can also be stimulating and may feel less pleasant if you are sensitive or use a larger amount.
For us, part of the difference is simply in the preparation too. You cut the cacao, warm water, milk or tea, let it melt and perhaps froth the drink. It takes a little more attention and naturally makes it a different kind of moment.
How does it feel?
Energy and focus: coffee versus cacao
With coffee
People often choose coffee when they want to feel alert quickly, switch into focus or push through tiredness for a while.
With cacao
Many people use cacao when they still want energy and attention, but prefer a softer morning moment. For us, it is mainly that combination of warmth, presence and focus that we recognise.
That does not mean cacao is calming and coffee is stimulating. The portion, your sensitivity, how much you slept, whether you have eaten and the time of day all play a role.
And our functional Cacao Bars?
There is another layer there. LOVE, FOCUS, RELAX, HEAL and EMPOWER combine 60% cacao with different herbs and functional mushrooms.
For a work moment, for example, we like FOCUS with Brahmi and Lion's Mane. EMPOWER contains both ashwagandha and cordyceps and for us fits moments when we want both grounding and a little extra drive.
Want to know how we use and experience the different ingredients? Read all about herbs and mushrooms in the Cacao Guide .
From coffee to cacao
Can you replace coffee with ceremonial cacao?
That can definitely be one way to use cacao. Many people eventually turn their morning coffee into a morning cacao, while others simply keep drinking both.
So you do not have to go from three coffees a day to zero coffee and only cacao. You can start much more simply.
Replace your first coffee
Try making 20 grams of pure cacao in the morning and see how that moment feels for you.
Or replace your second one
Keep your beloved morning coffee and make a cacao later in the morning or while working.
For everyday use, we use 20 grams as the daily amount for our cacao blocks. For an intentional ceremonial moment, we use 40 grams. Anything in between can be adjusted to your taste and the moment.
If you choose a Cacao Bar, one full Bar is one cup. So there is nothing to weigh.
What should you keep in mind?
Cacao also contains stimulating compounds
Cacao feels different from coffee for many people, but that does not mean you can drink unlimited amounts.
Sleep
If you are sensitive to caffeine and theobromine, cacao later in the day may affect your sleep.
Heart rate
A large amount may cause restlessness or heart palpitations in some people. More is not automatically better.
Stomach and digestion
Both coffee and cacao can feel different on an empty stomach. Pay attention to what feels good for you.
Time of day
If you are sensitive to stimulating compounds, morning or early afternoon may suit you better than evening.
Where do you start?
Which cacao do you choose as an alternative to coffee?
That mainly depends on how much convenience and freedom you want.
Cacao blocks
Ideal if you want to choose your own dose. For an everyday morning cacao, you can use 20 grams for example.
India is soft, round and warm in character. Peru is earthier and deeper.
View cacao blocksCacao Bars
Easy when you do not want to weigh anything. One Bar is one cup.
The different Bars combine cacao with herbs and mushrooms for different moments.
View Cacao BarsOur conclusion
Coffee or cacao? You don't have to choose
Drink what works for you. Love your morning cappuccino? Keep enjoying it. Notice that coffee sometimes makes you feel too wired, or simply want to try a different warm morning ritual? Then ceremonial cacao is a lovely option to explore alongside or instead of coffee.
Want to know which cacao best suits your taste, moment and routine? We have brought everything together in our Cacao Guide.