Question 1

How to make cacao for the ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Traditionally, ceremonial cacao is made by hand with a wooden device called molinillo hot chocolate frother. The experienced it made this way – it's a beautiful, meditative process.

For convenience, the use of this blender for the daily cup of ceremonial cacao.

Don't have a blender or prefer to make your cacao the slow way? Mix cacao with water in a small pot, and keep stirring/whisking on low heat, making sure it never boils (to not burn the cacao). Note – the cacao tends to settle on the bottom, so whisk it well. Turn off the stove when all cacao chunks are melted, and the consistency is creamy.

Question 2

How to make drinking ceremonial cacao?

Accepted Answer

Can you make ceremonial cacao from powder? Not really. You can make a delicious chocolate drink, but to preserve the integrity and wholeness of the experience, you should use cacao paste (which is a whole food that contains cacao butter before it's separated from the powder).

Question 3

What is ceremonial cacao made of?

Accepted Answer

Ceremonial cacao is made from whole bean, organic cacao. These beans undergo a fermentation process necessary for cultivating their flavour profile and activating certain natural compounds. The beans are then roasted at low temperatures, cracked, and stone-ground by traditional means. Ceremonial cacao is NEVER tempered.

Question 4

Can you have ceremonial cacao everyday?

Accepted Answer

You can use it daily as a substitute for coffee by making a hot chocolate drink using about 20-25gms per day of cacao, depending on your needs. It can be made with water or milk, and you can add chilli powder, nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, or whatever you desire to spice it up.

Question 5

Where does ceremonial cacao come from?

Accepted Answer

Unlike other cacao beans, ceremonial cacao is specifically produced from native cacao strains. These strains are found growing on their own in the wild without the help of humans. The compounds found in these seeds are essential for ceremonial use.

Question 6

Is ceremonial cacao healthy?

Accepted Answer

Cacao ceremonies are a centuries-old ritual seen as the ultimate heart-opener. In addition to being packed full of vitamins and minerals, cacao increases blood flow to the brain, which helps to strengthen awareness and focus. In addition, it helps the body to heal, detoxify and give your immune system a good boost.

Question 7

Who should not drink cacao?

Accepted Answer

Cacao is contraindicated with anti-depressants, especially MAOIs and some SSRIs. This means that it's a bad idea to take Ceremonial Cacao if you're using anti-depressants. At best, you're going to get a stinking headache.

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