The difference between 'regular' cacao and ceremonial cacao is a topic we feel very passionate about here at The Cacao Club. 

1. What exactly makes Cacao 'Ceremonial'?

2. Is it worth the price?

Because there are currently no regulations or standardisations in place regarding what makes Cacao 'Ceremonial,' we highly recommend doing your research and making your judgement based on the integrity of the company.

Most people are not aware that there is a there is a very real, very dark side of the Cacao Industry.

Cacao grows wildly and abundantly in its homeland, however, it was introduced to West Africa in 1879 which currently accounts for more than 80% of the Worlds Cacao production. Sadly, a vast majority of the commercial chocolate brands on the shelves today are using Cacao beans that have not only been highly processed, but have been grown and harvested by horrendously underpaid workers - often children, living and working in extreme poverty. These workers are often paid as little as $2 a day and work from 6 in the morning into the evening...

We consider Cacao to be a herbal medicine and this means ensuring that we use the same selection criteria when sourcing our Cacao as we do all of our medicinal herbs. 

Our non-negotiables are:

- Sustainability - The earth and natural habitat where the plant is grown is treated lovingly and respectfully.  

- Organic - No pesticides, herbicides or any other chemicals have come into contact with the plant. 

- Fairtrade - The farmers who grow and harvest the plants are fairly paid at a price they deserve, one which allows them to sustain themselves, their families and their communities. 

- Minimally processed - Low fermentation and low temperatures are applied without roasting so that the plant maintains its natural purity and quality.

When it comes to herbal medicine, dosage is incredibly important. EveryBODY is different, each of us with varying absorption rates and capabilities.

Cacao is a very safe and gentle plant medicine, however, if taken at the wrong dose, can cause headaches, nausea and dehydration.

This is why we have created our disks in a way that ensures you get the perfect dosage every time, one that is safe and nourishing for your body.

Here’s what we recommend:

A quarter disc if you are - Completely new to Cacao, under 12, pregnant in the first or third trimester, on heart medication or antidepressants or prone to intense anxiety or headaches.

Half a disc if you are - Drinking Cacao as a daily ritual or health supplement, pregnant in the second trimester, breastfeeding, drinking Cacao as a daily ritual or health supplement.

Three quarters of a disc if you are - An experienced cacao drinker, working with Cacao as a sacrament in deep prayer, ritual or ceremony. At this dosage we recommend drinking no more than 3 times per week.

We DO NOT recommend the use of a whole disk in one sitting but also want to acknowledge that everyone is different and if you are very very experienced you may feel comfortable experimenting with this upper dosage.

Please keep in mind that this is just a guideline and the most important thing is to listen to your body.

Our discs are designed with usability in mind. We have already measured out the exact amount there is no need to fuss around with scales or knives.

Option 1. Blender

Simply break your disc in half or a quarter and add it to your blender along with a cup full of hot water or plant milk. Blend on high for 30 seconds and pour!

Option 2. Stove Top

Set your stove top to low heat and add your desired potion of Cacao to a small pot. As your disc begins to melt, mix it using the back of a spoon to create a thick paste, slowly adding water or plant milk as you go to ensure your Cacao does not separate and become flaky. Pour and enjoy!

When taken at the right dose, Cacao can be a beautiful supplement during both pregnancy and breastfeeding - In fact, Cacao was traditionally given to birthing women  to provide stamina and reduce depletion during labour.

While completely safe in small doses, a recent study showed that Cacao can aggravate pre existing conditions like preeclampsia in the third trimester. For this reason we recommend no more than 15grams in the later stages of pregnancy and no more than 30g in the first and second trimesters. 

When breastfeeding, Cacao is a beautiful supplement to support both mum and baby and can provide a welcome burst of energy for those avoiding caffeine. We recommend up to 30g up to 3 times per week for nursing mamas. 

Of course! Our disks have been developed with the intention of drinking but there are no rules. Use them in cooking, add them to smoothies, keep them in your handbag to nibble on throughout the day for a herbal energy hit.  

With a name that literally translates to 'Food of the Gods,' the variety of Ceremonial Cacao used in our disks has been used to facilitate ritual and ceremony for millennia. It is our goal to reintegrate this tradition and help our customers to connect to this powerful plant as a MEDICINE and not a junk food.  

We are committed to 100% traceability, when it comes to Cacao.

Our single origin Qʼeqchiʼ Cacao Beans are grown deep in the rainforest in Guatemala from the Federation of Cooperatives of Coban, Alta and Baja Verapaz. 

The Cacao Trees on these small-scale farms are incredibly special and have a long history of mixing naturally over several decades to produce a unique blend of Criollo and Trinitario material, otherwise know as “Acriollado.” 

Natural, unique and most importantly, produced 100% by small-scale farmers from the indigenous people of Mayan Q´eqchi.

It is important to understand the difference between a traditional Indigenous ritual and the Cacao circles and gatherings that have become popular in the wellness world today.  

In the Mayan tradition, these sacred ceremonies are always led by an Aj’qil or Mayan guide who has spent many years, often an entire lifetime committed to this path. These rituals are sacred and not to be carried out by anyone not of this lineage. When we are drinking and sharing Cacao, It is important to be clear in our language, intention and actions that we are NOT undertaking a traditional ancestral practice.

Cacao is a beautiful plant that when shared with respect and acknowledgment for its traditional wisdom keepers can be a powerful tool for growth and connection.

Meditation can be hard and Cacao can act as a gentle and nurturing guide, encouraging self exploration and self discovery. The active ingredients in Cacao help to relax the nervous system as well as the busy 'thinking mind', enabling the drinker to access the deeper layers of consciousness that often go unnoticed or neglected.

We drink Cacao in ceremony to reconnect with our deep inner guidance. Using guided meditation we journey within to discover more about ourselves, release negative blockages and find peace and clarity.

Whether you’re looking to release emotional blockages, find some creative inspiration or simply want to feel GOOD, a Cacao ceremony is a beautiful way to re-align and connect to your heart. 

There are two simple ways to show your respect and gratitude to the wisdom keepers of this plant and ensure you are working in alignment with the spirit of this medicine.

1. Acknowledge 

2. Give back

Whenever you drink Cacao, take a moment before you begin your ritual to not only honour the original wisdom keepers of this plant but the land on which your Cacao was grown.

There are many ways to give back to the people who have sacrificed so much to keep these traditions alive. The first is to ensure the Cacao you are purchasing is sustainably sourced by companies committed to investing in the livelihood of these communities. Don't be shy about asking these questions. 

We highly recommend this article which offers a detailed list of ways that we (and you) can support and give back to the Indigenous communities that have protected and maintained with wisdom.