History of Cacao Ceremony:

Discover why Mayans called the Cacao bean "food of the Gods", learn about the transformative power of ceremony, and try out a Cacao ceremony recipe below!

"Save the Earth, it's the only place with chocolate!" Who doesn't long for a good taste of chocolate every now and then? For more than 3000 years Cacao bean has been declared sacred and valuable. It all started with a Mayan culture that discovered this growing plant in the rainforest, holding large, colored seed pods with a sweet white pulp inside. Mayans attributed many medicinal and aphrodisiac properties to it, declaring this plant sacred and divine. And so the cultivation of Cacao began in their territory which now houses Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and El Salvador.

"Save the Earth, it's the only place with chocolate!" Who doesn't long for a good taste of chocolate every now and then? For more than 3000 years Cacao bean has been declared sacred and valuable. It all started with a Mayan culture that discovered this growing plant in the rainforest, holding large, colored seed pods with a sweet white pulp inside. Mayans attributed many medicinal and aphrodisiac properties to it, declaring this plant sacred and divine. And so the cultivation of Cacao began in their territory which now houses Honduras, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and El Salvador.

After the discovery of Cacao, it soon became something that was used in religious ceremonies, buried in the tombs of high priests, and used to worship Ek Chuah, the Mayan God of merchants and believed to be a patron saint of Cacao.

The Aztecs took Cacao worship to a completely different level. Because they could not grow it themselves due to the dry climate, they exchanged their goods for the precious bean. They believed that Cacao was given by the Gods and saw the Cacao bean as worth more than gold. The cacao drink served as a life elixir for the wealthy elite of priests and other dignitaries and was believed to give them supernatural strength and performance abilities.

The beans were roasted and ground, after which a bitter hot chocolate drink was prepared, sometimes enriched with cayenne pepper, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamon, and honey.

Mythological story of Cacao

A story about Cacao tells about how the Cacao bean was connected to the Goddess Ixcacao, the Goddess of creation. She was a mother archetype deeply connected to mankind. She taught humankind how to sow, cultivate and harvest. She gave the earthlings protection and abundance knowing that there would always be care for the people who stayed in close contact with the Earth and respected its laws. Ixcacao is thus the embodiment of matriarchal energy.

When the patriarchal energy was introduced, there was a shift from holistic to cognitive thinking. This new wave became visible in the cultivation of literature: the arts, science, and trading. Although this was a necessary development for mankind, it resulted in the loss of contact with the Earth. Work became a strong impulse for the accumulation of wealth and possessions. Ixcacao married a merchant, and her beans were given material value and became a precious bargaining chip. This caused great sorrow for Ixcacao, who felt lost and did not know how to regain her place in the hearts of people.

When she was near despair, the goddess of love "Huitaca" came to her. Huitaca put her arms around her and said, “You have been with the people for years, waiting for them to come back from their work in the night. You have listened to their stories, told yours, and protected them while sharing your talents with them. Even if they were busy and disinterested. The time has come for working without rest, working without dancing, working without family, and working without pleasure and for love to be over! It's your job to tell them what's lost.”

Her heart was overwhelmed with love, and from that moment on she was not only the Goddess of creation but also a Goddess of love. Ixcacao stayed with the people and again poured her sacred drink to restore balance to the hearts of the people. The spirit of Cacao gave them permission to enjoy Earth again and the abundance it gives. Enjoying work, time with family, dancing, singing, and all other creative forms that express the heart.

And so Ixcacao, along with the holy Cacao beverage, brought harmony to Earth again.

Cacao in our time

This mythical story predicts that if the Earth was to become unbalanced and people focus on material possessions, the Cacao bean would come back to teach people how to love, how to enjoy life again, and how to use their creative abilities to create beauty. Meanwhile, modern science has also discovered how versatile and healthy this Cacao bean is! It is found to be full of antioxidants, maintaining a healthy heart and blood vessels, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, and regulating metabolism. Even though older civilizations didn't have this scientific proof 3,000 years ago, they still understood that something about Cacao was special - and we are now rediscovering it again!

A surge of Cacao ceremonies has been blooming all over the world, helping us remember our essence, heal, feel, and come together in prayer. We dance, sing and ask Ixcacao to assist us in this process. This brings us back to the essence of our existence. Without the Earth, there are no people; without the Sun, there is no life; without the bees, there is no food. Why are we so focused on the outward appearances of our existence? The Cacao will make us feel and see this in a gentle and loving way, encouraging us to look deeper, beyond the visible.

The process of Cacao Ceremony 

A Cacao ceremony is a special experience in which drinking 42 grams of ceremonial grade Cacao is central. The quality of Cacao greatly determine the effects of the ceremony, therefore, it is essential to work with only the highest-quality ceremonial grade Cacao. In some stances, Cacao is being harvested and processed specifically for the Cacao ceremony in a special way by a shaman: the cacao is fermented for two days to two weeks with mineral-rich pulp from their own seed pods so that the beans absorb all the minerals. They are then dried in the sun, lightly roasted, then peeled, and sometimes ground. This labor-intensive process is done entirely by hand.

Cacao medicine is known as soft, feminine, and loving. It is said to stimulate the heart-opening and to strengthen the feeling of connection with yourself and the people around you. During a ceremony, supporting techniques are used to ensure that the Cacao and the experience do their work optimally. Depending on the shaman who accompanies the process, ceremonial songs, prayer, yoga, sound meditation, and dance will be used. The shaman is "holding the space" so that inner processes are safely lived through and new insights can be integrated.

Thanks to certain active ingredients that help to release "feel-good” emotions, Cacao is seen as the ultimate heart opener. Because it evokes feelings of emotional intimacy and pleasure, it has traditionally been considered a "luxurious delicacy" and "aphrodisiac". Because Cacao has the ability to connect to your heart chakra, it contributes to every transformational shift you set your intention upon, whether it is to see through and let go of old patterns and traumas, or to a deeper understanding of yourself and your unique path of life. It is said that Cacao has the potential to lift the veil of the seen world, giving you access to the world of the unseen.

Is Raw Cacao healthy?

#1World’s number one antioxidant

The advantages of Cacao are mainly its high content of antioxidants. Antioxidants protect the body against free radicals that trigger the aging process. The highest percentage is found in raw cacao, in contrast to milk chocolate, which contains more Cacao butter and sugar than pure Cacao. Flavonoid produces nitrogen hormone, a substance that helps regulate blood pressure and ensures a balanced hormone level. The result is the maintenance of a healthy heart. Cacao also helps to increase the “good” cholesterol in the blood.

#2 "Love drug"

Phenylethylamine found in Cacao is a substance your body produces when you're in love. It then gets converted into dopamine in your body, increasing your libido. Therefore, Cacao potentially works as a natural aphrodisiac. It makes you high on life! Since this compound is also found in cacao, it's no wonder most people love chocolate. Phenylethylamine also increases your energy level.

Another great advantage of Cacao is its ability to regulate the body's endorphin production, which gives a pleasant feeling of satisfaction and gratification. Consuming Cacao helps to produce serotonin, a vital hormone that acts as an antidepressant and mood regulator. Raw Cacao contains theobromine and caffeine - substances that we know stimulate our brain and body.

#3 Magnesium

Raw Cacao is one of the best sources of magnesium, a mineral that many women do not get enough of. Magnesium is essential for your energy balance, a healthy brain, and a functioning nervous system. The intense craving for chocolate just before menstruation is also associated with this. Magnesium relaxes the lower back and hips and is even prescribed by some gynecologists during pregnancy. When the chocolate craving starts, a woman knows she's going to have her period. Relaxation in the pelvic area also helps to continue menstruation and to detoxify the body from emotional tension and waste products.

 #4 Weightloss

Cacao can have a positive effect on weight loss. In case of stress, your body produces cortisol. Research has shown that cortisol ensures that your body holds the fat firmly and that you are 4 times more likely to store fat on your stomach if you are stressed. Research has shown that Cacao can help with relaxation.

 #5 Antibacterial

Cacao contains antibacterial components that fight cavities. By eating Cacao, you keep your teeth and gums healthy. Of course, it is important that you do not add extra sugar to your diet. To sweeten recipes with Cacao, it is best to use coconut cream, stevia, agave, raisins, apple juice, or other fruit sugars.

What's the best way to consume Raw Cacao?

It was the Spanish who brought Cacao beans from South America to Europe, and the first thing they did to enjoy the benefits of Cacao was to add sugar. The bitter raw Cacao will never taste the same unless you do the same what the chocolate manufacturers do: add lots of sugar and fat! The good news is that you can consume raw Cacao in many different ways: from ready-made Cacao bars to Cacao nibs in a naturally sweet banana smoothie. Or you can make your own chocolate with melted coconut oil mixed with raw Cacao powder, sweetened with raisins and a crunchy bunch of nuts. Pour the mixture into a rubber mold of small chocolates, put it in the refrigerator for one hour so that the liquid mixture becomes hard and ready. It tastes so bittersweet!

Cacao Ceremony Recipe

Ceremonial cacao is "the real deal", but as with all relationships, you have to approach it with the right understanding and knowledge to be able to enjoy the ultimate benefits. The two most important components for a successful Cacao ceremony are the quality of the Cacao and the intention you bring with you.

 Cacao Ceremony Recipe

- 1 large drinking glass of water per person

- 6 tablespoons with a sharp knife finely chopped Cacao  (42 grams of Cacao per person)

- pinch of pepper or cayenne

- natural sweetener of your own choice such as honey, agave syrup, stevia to taste

- add extra flavor with cinnamon, vanilla, or cardamon

 Preparing the drink

-Start by chopping the cacao bar into small pieces so that it dissolves easily in water.

-Put the water with pepper or cayenne on the fire until just before it boils. It may be hot but not boiling.

-Add the pieces of Cacao to the water

-Add natural sweeteners or spices to taste

-Use a wooden spoon or whisk to stir the drink until all the cacao pieces have dissolved and a thick layer of foam floats on the surface.

-Serve hot, love your heart & enjoy!

Important tips!

-If you've never drunk such a pure form of Cacao before, it's advisable to take it easy to test your body's response to it. Start with 2/3 of the ceremonial Cacao and see how you feel after 45 minutes. If your stomach doesn't bother you, you can drink the rest.

-Do not mix your cacao with cow's milk or soy milk! Most of us have become so used to the creamy sweet Cacao as we drink it here in the west that we can't imagine otherwise. But beware, milk and soya undermine the absorption of Cacao in the body, thus reducing its positive effects.

-The advice is to eat very little before taking the drink. No solid food about 3 hours in advance. This ensures that the medicinal effect is as great as possible and that your body can absorb the Cacao properly. Drink enough water during the ceremony and eat solid food at the end to ground the energy.

-Cacao can have a detoxifying effect on the liver. It's mildly laxative in mild doses. For people who fast or stick to a raw food diet, the advice is to take it easy and look at the effects first. When you eat more pure foods, you can be very receptive to the effects of Cacao.

-Most people feel the effect of Cacao within 20 to 30 minutes. Usually, there is a strong focus of energy around the heart and a feeling of expansion. The focus and concentration become easy as more blood flows to the brain. The effect lasts about 3 to 5 hours depending on your attention and focus. Creativity and inspiration flow more easily, making it the ideal moment for making music, singing, dancing, praying, and participating in other healing activities. Cacao brings out the creative, playful child in you! So be prepared...

New: Raw Cacao from Ecuador!

This Cacao paste and powder from Ecuador is made from the finest indigenous Arriba Nacional beans. Arriba Nacional is known for its exceptionally full flavor and fruity and floral aromas, captured in a creamy texture.

The beans in the Cacao paste and powder come from the lowlands on the coast of the province of Esmeralda in Ecuador. The beans are cold-processed to preserve all nutrients and antioxidants and are certified organic. Compared to other types of Cacao, this Cacao has a particularly mild and chocolate-like taste. This local fine Cacao is grown by small farmers who have mastered the art of Cacao cultivation, have a deep respect for the environment, and work together according to international Fair Trade standards.