Your moment to slow down
Preparing ceremonial cacao is more than just making a warm drink. It’s a small moment to pause, breathe, taste, and consciously check in with yourself. Whether you want to start your day in peace, prepare for a creative afternoon, or host a full cacao ritual: with a few simple steps, you’ll create a delicious, creamy cup of cacao.
The quick summary
- Use about 15 to 25 grams of cacao for a daily moment.
- Choose 25 to 35 grams if you're taking more time for a ritual.
- Heat about 200 ml of water or plant-based milk, without letting it boil.
- Mix with a whisk, milk frother, or blender for soft, creamy cacao.
What do you need?
- A Cacao Bar or a Pure Cacao Block
- About 200 ml water or plant-based milk
- A small saucepan
- Kitchen scales if you are dosing from a block
- A sharp knife and a stable wooden cutting board
- A whisk, milk frother, hand blender, or blender
- A large mug
The foundation for a great cup of cacao
Keep your liquid warm, not boiling
Heat your water or plant-based milk to about 70°C (158°F). There's no need to use a thermometer: once the liquid is hot and starts to steam, but hasn't reached a rolling boil, you're usually good to go. By not boiling it, you keep the flavour of the cacao well-rounded, soft, and full.
Make it your own moment
There is no "perfect" way to drink cacao. Maybe you take two quiet minutes before your laptop opens. Maybe you put on music, write something down, or drink your cacao in silence. It’s that little bit of extra attention that turns a daily habit into a ritual that fits you.
Making ceremonial cacao in 3 steps
1. Choose your dosage
Just starting out with ceremonial cacao? Then 15 to 20 grams is a great amount to begin with. For a daily cacao moment, many people choose 20 to 25 grams. If you have more time and want to fully dive into your ritual, you can use 25 to 35 grams.
Using one of our Cacao Bars? One bar contains 36 grams of cacao: a full dose for an extensive ritual. You can also start with half a bar and discover what feels best for you.
A Cacao Bar doesn't need weighing. Simply break it into smaller pieces so it melts faster. Working with a Pure Cacao Block? Weigh your desired amount first and chop or shave the cacao into small pieces on a stable cutting board.
2. Heat and add your cacao
If you're using a Pure Cacao Block, make sure to chop it finely first. This helps it melt much smoother and faster.
Meanwhile, heat about 200 ml of water or plant-based milk in a saucepan. Do not let it boil. Once hot, add your cacao to the liquid.
Think of 200 ml as a starting point. Use a little less liquid for a thicker, more intense cacao, or add extra water/milk if you prefer a softer, lighter drink.
3. Mix until creamy
Mix the cacao using a whisk, electric milk frother, hand blender, or blender. Using a frother or blender, in particular, gives your drink that lovely creamy texture and a soft foam layer. Take your time with this step: the better you mix, the smoother and richer your cacao becomes.
Using a blender? Let the cacao cool slightly first and don't overfill it. Hold the lid firmly and ensure steam can escape safely. For a single cup, a whisk, hand blender, or handheld frother is often the easiest and safest choice.
Make it your own
Pure cacao has a deep, full flavour that pairs beautifully with natural spices. Try adding a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, or vanilla. If you like a hint of sweetness, dates, maple syrup, or a drop of raw honey work perfectly.
It's best to add honey once your cacao is no longer boiling hot. This helps preserve the delicate flavours and aromas.
Feeling adventurous? Check out our cacao recipes for more inspiration.
When to drink ceremonial cacao?
Ceremonial cacao fits so many different moments. In the morning as an alternative to your usual hot drink, in the afternoon as a conscious break, or at the start of yoga, journaling, meditation, or a cacao ceremony.
Cacao naturally contains caffeine and theobromine. Everyone experiences this differently, so listen to your body and maybe start with a smaller amount, especially if you're sensitive to caffeine.