But what exactly is ceremonial Cacao? What is it about the Cacao that makes it ‘ceremonial’? And why are so many individuals incorporating this mystical elixir into their lives today?
Let’s take a mindful moment to dive into the magical world of Cacao.
A Brief History of Cacao
Cacao, also known by its scientific name Theobroma cacao, is a plant that originated in ancient Central and South America, with traces of its use found dating back over 5000 years ago. Cacao was significant to many indigenous cultures in this part of the world, but the Mayans are one of the most well documented civilisations to have cultivated and consumed Cacao. The name itself originates from the Mayan word Ka’kaw, meaning ‘heart blood’ and it was believed that Cacao was a divine gift from the gods to the people. Because of this, Cacao was revered as a sacred plant, consumed as a pure, unsweetened and bitter drink during rituals, ceremonies, and gatherings. The drink was made from stone ground Cacao beans, mixed into hot water and occasionally blended with spices.
What is Ceremonial Cacao?
In essence, ceremonial Cacao is a contemporary expression of the ancient origins of the Cacao plant and the way it was once consumed and revered. Although Cacao has been used in ritual and ceremonies throughout history, the labelling of Cacao as ‘ceremonial’ is actually a modern term adopted by brands and wellness communities to distinguish this type of Cacao in terms of it’s physical characteristics, quality, growing conditions, sourcing and intended use when compared with cacao powder or regular chocolate on the market today.
From a physical perspective, ceremonial Cacao is made purely from 100% whole Cacao beans that have been ground down to form a paste, which solidifies at room temperature into a block. It’s minimally processed with nothing added or taken away, meaning ceremonial Cacao is a whole food.
Unlike most mass-produced chocolate products and powders, ceremonial Cacao is made with high quality beans that are organically grown, sourced from farms and communities where growers are paid higher prices, and ultimately created with the intention of ritual or mindfulness and connecting deeply with the plant and oneself.
The biggest challenge when it comes to ceremonial Cacao is that there is no regulation or universally accepted standard for what constitutes Cacao as ‘ceremonial’ or ‘ceremonial grade’ and therefore the term does not guarantee a level of quality or authenticity. Essentially, anyone can claim the label of ‘ceremonial’ on a product, and therefore it's important to do your own research and seek out high quality, ethically sourced Cacao from brands that you trust and align with your values.
Here's what makes Ceremonial-Grade Cacao:
- Made from 100% whole heirloom Cacao beans that are minimally processed and ground into a paste
- The Cacao beans are of a high grade and quality, measured by the growing conditions, flavour and other sensory information from the beans
- The beans are organically grown, without the use of chemicals
- The Cacao trees are grown sustainably using regenerative practices to preserve resources and forests
- Farmers are well compensated for the time, love and energy they give to their work
Our ceremonial Cacao
For us at Omala, we use the label of ceremonial Cacao to describe the holistic lens through which we view Cacao as a plant for healing and connection. We see Cacao as a plant-medicine. A catalyst for transformation. And we are passionate about sharing its history and traditions to help foster a deeper connection to its ancient wisdom and the nature of ourselves and the world.
Not unlike coffee, wine or matcha, there is a wide spectrum of quality when it comes to Cacao, which is assessed through the senses of sight, smell and taste. Much of the Cacao on the commercial market is considered very poor. Using the label of ceremonial also refers to the high grade and quality of beans that are worthy of being used in a product for ritual or ceremony. We source heirloom chuncho Cacao which is a high grade, rare and highly prized variety of Cacao from Peru.
Overall, when sourcing Cacao, we are diligent in ensuring it meets our standards of sustainability, quality, processing, ethics and intentional growing.
Our ceremonial Cacao is sourced from a family run farm in the high jungle region of Peru. The growers have a deep respect for the Cacao as a medicine plant and believe it absorbs the energy from the land and the people who work with it. Because of this, the Cacao is grown organically, without the use of chemicals, and using regenerative practices to preserve the resources and forests for future generations. The entire process of picking, drying, fermenting, lightly roasting and grinding into a paste is undertaken by the growers and their extended community - ensuring the quality of each stage is maintained in an artisanal way.
