What is True Ceremonial Cacao?

In the simplest and most generalized terms, ceremonial cacao is essentially raw cacao, which, from the moment the fruits are picked from the cacao trees until they are processed into the final product (unlike most other products seen on store shelves), does not utilize any additional technology, relying solely on human labor. This natural product, which hasn’t undergone any technological processes, is somewhat more expensive than popular powdered cocoa, mainly due to the longer and more challenging process of extracting it from cacao beans. It’s also not something you would typically find on supermarket shelves.

True ceremonial cacao, often found in health food stores and sacred medicine shops, is hand-harvested and produced, and most importantly, it is 100% natural and fully organic. The cacao beans are not artificially cleaned or dried, nor are they subjected to defatting processes. They are not enriched with any flavor additives, artificial colors, or additional preservatives, ensuring the final product is fully valuable and not deprived of any beneficial components it contains. Thanks to the natural production process, ready-made cacao is also much more valuable and healthy than its mass-produced counterparts. Equally important as the production of cacao are the plant varieties used for its production and their cultivation methods. In the case of ceremonial cacao, these are the best, ancient varieties of cacao trees (Criollo and Chuncho are considered the best) grown entirely organically, though it might be misleading to use the term “cultivation” here, as these are plants growing in natural conditions.

Natural ceremonial cacao is most commonly available as a paste or chunks and is aromatic, with a beautiful, dark brown color. Cacao paste is made using traditional methods from unroasted cacao beans, which, instead of being roasted, undergo a much more time-consuming process of drying, then fermenting, and finally being hand-ground. The resulting paste is pressed until it becomes crumbly chunks, reminiscent of chocolate in texture, though not as shiny as popular chocolate bars. The most popular varieties of cacao come from South America and some regions of Africa, with cacao most often produced in Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, Bolivia, Colombia, and Ghana.

What Makes Ceremonial Cacao So Special?

Ceremonial cacao owes its uniqueness primarily to its extraordinary taste and properties, thanks to not only the methods of its acquisition but especially the way of preparing a drink from the cacao paste or cacao chunks. The drink made from raw, organic cacao is often called the drink of the gods. Why the “drink of the gods”? The name is no coincidence, mainly because in the past, such a drink obtained from cacao was used, among other things, during prayer, meditation, and religious ceremonies, hence it is also referred to as ceremonial cacao. It was believed to have relaxing properties and was thought to possess magical powers, including the power to cleanse from bad energy. Currently, the “drink of the gods” and ceremonial cacao itself are valued primarily for their properties.

Rich in composition and beneficial properties

A store offering true ceremonial cacao will certainly interest not only people who pay attention to the origin and composition of the products they buy but also fans of healthy, organic food, as well as people on vegan, vegetarian diets, and thanks to its high fat content, it can also fit into the menu of the popular ketogenic diet in recent years, and it even works in kosher cuisine. Pure and natural cacao does not contain added sugar, so it can also be used in the diet of people with diabetes and those limiting sugar intake. It can also be successfully used as a healthier alternative to coffee.

True ceremonial cacao contains three important ingredients: theobromine, caffeine, and anandamide, which have a significant impact on the body. The first two have regenerating, stimulating, and mind-clearing effects, while the latter is a neurotransmitter that acts on receptors in the body and works similarly to endorphins called happiness hormones, so it can effectively improve mood, relax, and even increase pain resistance and stimulate libido.

Cacao fruit, and thus the cacao made from it, is one of the better sources of polyphenols, which are attributed to anti-cancer action and flavonoids, antioxidants with anti-inflammatory action and vascular sealing effects. Cacao is also rich in healthy fatty acids (fats make up more than half of the total cacao mass) and many valuable vitamins and nutrients, including:

• B vitamins, responsible for mood and nervous system function,
• Vitamin E, known as the vitamin of fertility and youth,
• Vitamin K, influencing mainly blood clotting and bone health,
• Folic acid, extremely valuable and needed in many body processes,
• Potassium, regulating blood pressure and maintaining the body’s acid-base balance,
• Zinc, supporting the immune system,
• Copper, participating in the synthesis of many proteins and preventing heart diseases,
• Magnesium, with a calming, relaxing effect and improving memory and concentration,
• Phosphorus, affecting the condition of bones, muscles, and the entire nervous system,
• Chromium, useful in regulating cholesterol levels and the metabolism of fats, proteins, and carbohydrates.

The amount of all these valuable ingredients in cacao decreases to a minimum if the cacao beans are subjected to heat treatment or overly processed, which does not happen in the case of ceremonial cacao. True ceremonial cacao, besides being tasty and very healthy, also affects the functioning of many organs, especially the pancreas, heart, and brain, and greatly supports immunity. Regularly consumed cacao improves blood flow and helps regulate blood pressure, and additionally acts like an aphrodisiac. It is said that cacao affects the body and mind, which is an incredibly accurate statement because, in addition to its immediate mood effects, it is often attributed to having antidepressant properties.

How to Prepare the True Drink of the Gods from Cacao?

A healthy and nutrient-rich drink based on natural cacao was already prepared in ancient times by the Maya and Aztecs, and the valuable cacao beans arrived in Europe from America thanks to the voyages of Christopher Columbus many centuries ago. Today, the “drink of the gods” can be prepared in several ways. The base and main ingredient of the drink is water or a plant-based drink, with cacao being the second ingredient. The proportions depend on individual preferences, but it is generally accepted that 2-3 tablespoons of ground cacao per 150 ml of liquid is optimal. The water (preferably mineral) or your favorite plant-based drink should be heated to about 50 degrees Celsius, add grated or ground cacao, and then mix thoroughly until a smooth and shiny consistency is achieved. To enhance the drink, you can add a bit of cayenne pepper, which will strengthen the cacao’s effect, a pinch of salt to highlight the taste of the wonderful elixir, or aromatic cinnamon. You can also sweeten the drink with healthy sweeteners – honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup. Finally, the most important information: cacao should never be mixed with milk, sugar, or worse, alcohol, as all these additives will deprive the drink of its valuable properties. For more tips and valuable advice, you can look here.

The ready-made mixture will unfortunately never resemble the taste or consistency of a chocolate drink prepared from a store-bought powdered product. This one is much more substantial, thick, and fatty, and has an intense, slightly bitter, and somewhat astringent taste (which can be slightly modified by adding different additives or changing the water and cacao ratios), to which you need to get accustomed. Fortunately, taste sensations are not the key here; the most important thing is the effect of the drink, which should encourage regular preparation of the cacao mixture.

As with many other pleasures, moderation is key when it comes to cacao, and you should not overdo its quantity – even the best medicine in excess can harm, and besides, it is quite caloric. If you want to prepare the cacao elixir daily, 5-10 grams is enough; such a dose will fully suffice and strengthen the body. If you want to add twice as much cacao, it’s best to prepare it 2-3 times a week, and a dose above 30 grams should be consumed once a week. It’s also worth remembering to check for any contraindications to its use before starting your adventure with the drink of the gods based on natural cacao, and it’s best to consult a doctor about the intention to consume it.

How Should the Ceremony of Drinking Cacao Proceed?

In the times when the Maya and Aztecs drank cacao, the process of preparing the drink was itself a ritual, and its consumption was just one of its stages. This is where the term “drink of the gods” comes from, as it was believed that besides possessing health-promoting properties, this magical drink allows connecting with mother nature and facilitates contact with deities. Drinking ceremonial cacao to this day is more than just savoring a chocolate drink. It is recommended to not eat a meal directly before drinking cacao, and during its consumption, to quiet down and savor its rich taste. Of course, the name does not obligate you to drink the beverage only during any ceremony, meditation, or prayer; it can equally well be served as a wake-up and stimulant instead of morning coffee, or to replace tea to unwind and relax after a hard day.