Everything about cacao
Ceremonial cacao is pure cacao made with the whole cacao mass. But for us, it is not only about what is technically in your cup. It starts with the cacao pod, the quality of the bean and the way the cacao is processed. In the end, it becomes a warm drink you can consciously take a little time for.
For us, ceremonial cacao does not have to be complicated or overly spiritual. Sometimes you drink it during yoga or journaling. Sometimes it is simply your warm cup of cacao in the morning.
The basics
What do we mean by ceremonial cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is made from whole cacao mass. This means the solid parts of the cacao bean and the naturally present cacao butter stay together.
When cacao beans are finely ground, they do not turn into a dry powder but into a thick, liquid cacao mass. Once it cools down, it becomes solid again and can, for example, be poured into a block.
When you then warm a piece of cacao in water, milk or tea, the cacao mass and natural cacao butter melt together again. This creates the rich, full mouthfeel that is so typical of pure cacao.
Whole cacao mass
The natural cacao butter stays part of the cacao. This makes ceremonial cacao richer and fuller than cacao powder.
Made to drink
Cut a piece from the block, melt it into a warm liquid and turn it into your cup of cacao.
From tree to cacao
Good cacao starts with the fruit
Before cacao becomes a dark brown block on your cutting board, it grows as a cacao pod on the trunk and branches of a cacao tree. Inside each pod are cacao beans surrounded by soft white fruit pulp.
For our ceremonial cacao from India, producer AmmaCacao works with independent cacao farms across India. The selection already starts there, with the cacao pods and beans used as the base for their ceremonial cacao and Amma Bars.
So the quality of cacao is not only decided when it is turned into a block. The fruit, the bean, fermentation, drying and every step that follows all influence the final character of the cacao.
From tree to bar
AmmaCacao guides the process from tree to finished product with the aim of preserving the quality and character of the cacao as much as possible. For us, this attention to the raw cacao and the way it is processed is an important part of good ceremonial cacao.
The process
How does a cacao bean become a cacao block?
Quite a lot happens between the fresh cacao pod and the block of cacao in your kitchen. The exact process differs by producer and origin, but cacao generally goes through a number of important stages.
1. Harvesting
Ripe cacao pods are harvested and opened. The fresh beans and fruit pulp are removed from the pod.
2. Fermentation
The beans are fermented. This is an important stage where the character and aromas of the cacao continue to develop.
3. Drying
After fermentation, the beans are dried to reduce their moisture so the cacao can be processed further.
4. Grinding
The cacao is eventually ground so finely that the natural cacao butter is released and combines with the cacao solids to form a smooth cacao mass.
This cacao mass can then be poured into a block. At home, you cut or chop off the amount you want and melt the cacao again to make your drink.
Origin
Cacao has been drunk for thousands of years
Cacao originally comes from the tropical regions of Central and South America and has a history going back thousands of years.
Cacao played an important role in different Mesoamerican cultures, including Maya communities and later the Mexica. Cacao was drunk, traded and used during social and ceremonial occasions.
The drink looked different from the creamy cacao we make today. Cacao was ground and prepared with water, among other methods. Ingredients such as chilli and other spices were also used.
One thing we see throughout this history is that cacao could be more than simply food. People shared it during gatherings, special occasions and moments of attention.
Why is cacao called a heart opener?
In cacao and ceremony circles, cacao is often described as a heart opener. People usually do not mean a literal medical effect, but an experience of warmth, softness, presence and connection.
We recognise that in our own moments with cacao too. At the same time, it remains personal. Everyone can experience cacao in their own way.
The difference
Ceremonial cacao, cacao powder and hot chocolate
Ceremonial cacao
The whole cacao mass stays together with the naturally present cacao butter. You melt the cacao into a warm liquid.
Cacao powder
With cacao powder, part of the cacao butter has been pressed out of the cacao. This creates a drier powder that is often used for baking, smoothies and hot chocolate.
Classic hot chocolate is usually made with cacao powder combined with milk and sugar. With ceremonial cacao, the whole cacao is the starting point.
Want to explore the difference in more detail? Read our article about ceremonial cacao versus cacao powder .
Our Cacao Bars
What is the difference with a Cacao Bar?
A cacao block gives you maximum freedom. You decide whether you want to use, for example, 20 or 40 grams.
Our Cacao Bars are designed as an easy one-cup serving. One Bar is one cup.
LOVE, FOCUS, RELAX, HEAL and EMPOWER contain 60% cacao combined with carefully selected herbs, Ayurvedic extracts and functional mushrooms.
FOCUS, for example, contains Brahmi and Lion's Mane, RELAX contains reishi and Lion's Mane, and EMPOWER contains both ashwagandha and cordyceps.
CARDAMOM is different. This premium Bar is made from 100% ceremonial cacao from Kerala and fermented with opened cardamom pods.
Want to know exactly what is in each Bar and why we like using certain ingredients at different moments? You can read all about it in the Cacao Guide .
Everyday life
You don't need a ceremony to drink cacao
That may be one of the most important things we want people to know. Ceremonial cacao does not have to stay in the cupboard until a special occasion comes along.
We drink cacao ourselves at all kinds of moments. As a calm start to the morning, during a workday, when we want to write or reflect, before yoga or simply because we feel like something warm.
Of course, you can also drink cacao together. Making a cup together naturally changes the pace for a moment. A conversation at the table, a quiet moment together or simply some time without your phone.
Ritual
What makes cacao ceremonial?
For us, it is not about rules. It is mostly about the attention you bring to what you are doing.
Maybe you put on some music. Maybe you write something down. Maybe you take a few calm breaths first. Or maybe you simply sit down and drink your cacao without doing anything else at the same time.
An intention does not have to be big either. You could ask yourself what you need today, where you want to place your attention or what you would like to make a little more space for.
And sometimes you do not need an intention at all. Then cacao is simply cacao.
Preparing and dosing
How do you make ceremonial cacao?
With a cacao block, we use 20 grams as the minimum daily dose. For moments when you consciously want to go a little deeper, we use 40 grams as a ceremonial dose. Anything in between can be adjusted to your taste and the moment.
One Cacao Bar is one cup, so there is no need to weigh it.
Use around 200 to 300 ml of water, regular milk, plant-based milk or tea.
Which cacao?
Ceremonial cacao from India or Peru?
Not all cacao tastes the same. Our ceremonial cacao from India has a softer, rounder and warmer character. Our ceremonial cacao from Peru is earthier and deeper.
There really is no better one. It is mostly about which flavour and which moment suit you.
Explore more
Everything about cacao in one place
Want to know which cacao suits you, how to prepare it, which dose we use and what the herbs and mushrooms in our Cacao Bars are all about? We have brought everything together in the Cacao Guide.