For The Love of Cacao

Your guide to a harmonious journey with ceremonial cacao.

Known as the drink of the gods, Cacao was enjoyed by the Aztecs and Mayans alike. Today this healing drink gently assists in self-reflection and meditation.

I first discovered ceremonial cacao a few years ago while attending a beautiful cacao ceremony in the heart of Birmingham. I loved it so much that I have since become a regular drinker myself and it has become a part of my lifestyle. The wonderful heart opening properties of cacao have propelled me into some profound healing experiences, enabled me to engage with my intuition in a more meaningful way, and inspired me to become more creative in my day to day living. In fact I regularly indulge in a cup or two while partaking in my favourite creative projects and activities, or relaxing into deep meditation.

A cacao ceremony can be an incredibly magical experience that can take you to new realms of self discovery and acceptance, and something that I highly recommend you to try if you haven't yet.

But what is this magical plant and where does it come from?

This incredible plant was first discovered in South America and was enjoyed by the Mayans and Aztecs alike. This sacred plant was greatly revered. So much so that its name Theobroma literally translates to "Food of the Gods!".

The story goes that Cacao was actually discovered within a mythical mountain by the gods themselves who then gave the Cacao tree to the Maya as a gift. 

Cacao is grown on the Theobroma cacao tree and originates from warm, humid climates such as Ghana, Indonesia, Brazil, Columbia and Peru.

It is from the Theobroma cacao tree that the chocolate we all know and love originates.

When the cacao beans are taken, roasted and then processed by adding sugar and other ingredients, we eventually get our beloved chocolate bars and hot cocoa drinks. However when the processing of the bean is kept minimal, and extra care and intention is taken in the growing and harvesting of said bean, we then end up which something that we call ceremonial cacao. It is this ceremonial cacao that we can drink with loving intention and be transported into an incredibly loving and heart opening experience. We have all experienced the wonderful uplifting release of endorphins when we consume a tasty bar of Cadbury chocolate. But when we consume cacao in its rawest form it can take us to another level of enjoyment.

So where can you buy it and how is it prepared?

There are a number of places that you can source cacao from, and although raw cacao powder can be found in most health food shops, if you would like to experience ceremonial cacao you might need to look further afield, and ensure that you are indeed purchasing 'Ceremonial' cacao. We source all our Cacao - both ceremonial and powdered from Lisa Fearon - Amor Cacao. We've tried a few different types of ceremonial Cacao but nothing has quite compared to the Cacao that she sources - the smell, taste and the effects, have aided us in doing our own cacao ceremonies and diving deeply into the clarity and healing that Cacao provides. As well as selling the best cacao - 'Lisa is a Life coach, working with women who are at a point where they are looking for more from life.'

Ceremonial cacao can taste quite bitter without the addition of sugar, and so some people choose to sweeten it naturally by adding honey, coconut sugar, agave, stevia or maple syrup.

It will be up to you to decide how you want to consume it yourself, but do bear in mind to only add natural ingredients, and to avoid the additional refined sugars if you would like to get the most out of your cacao experience.

I have also heard of people choosing to add milk substitutes such as oat, almond, coconut, hazelnut, rice or soya milk. But it is best to stay away from dairy as it is believed that, like refined sugars, it too can block the effects of the cacao.

Personally I tend to not add anything to my cacao when I make it, since that was the way I first tried it, and I have since learned to enjoy the bitter taste of the pure chocolate.

Facilitating your own cacao experience

You will need:

• A sharp knife or cheese grater.

• A blender or saucepan (personally I use a small blender.)

• Kitchen scales.

• A surface on which to prepare your cacao.

• Hot and cold water.

• A cup to drink from.
  

Optional:

• Seasoning as discussed above.

• Candles and incense.

• Soft pillows and blankets.

• Meditation cushion.

• Soothing music.
  

Setting the scene.

Although you can simply sit down and enjoy your drink anywhere, I personally like to create a relaxing and soothing setting in which to enjoy my cacao.

I do this by lighting candles and incense, getting out my meditation cushions and comfy blankets, and playing some soothing music. I also serve my drink in a cute cup and saucer, and place it on a tray. This helps me to create a deeper intention and loving mood in which to open my heart to this very special drink.

Preparing your drink

1. Intention is incredibly important throughout the process of preparing and consuming your ceremonial cacao, and so before I begin I like to take a few moments to bring myself to centre. As a reiki practitioner I like to take a few deep breaths and then conduct Kenyoku (the process of dry bathing.) For those that are not attuned to reiki I recommend closing your eyes and placing your hands on your stomach as you slowly breath in and out, creating a feeling of calm before proceeding onto the next step.

2. Weigh your cacao on a kitchen scale. For beginners it is recommended to start on a dose of 25g and to adjust that amount as you become more used to it.

3. If you wish to use your cacao to assist in meditation prepare between 22-30g, and for a ceremony prepare between 40g and 50g. It is not recommended to consume more than 50g.

4. Pour some water into your kettle and begin to boil. The amount of water that you might want to use will vary according to taste, but I suggest you begin with no more than 10oz or 300ml maximum.

5. Begin shaving away your cacao with a sharp knife, making the pieces as small as possible (all the time maintaining your positive intentions.) Some people like to use a cheese grater.

6. Once the full amount has been chopped, place it into the container for your blender, or your saucepan if that is what you are using.

7. Add small amounts of both the hot water and the cold water, and if you are using a saucepan stir the mixture as it melts, not allowing it to boil. If you are using the blender then turn it on in small bursts.

8. Continue adding the hot and cold water until the cacao has fully melted and blended in.

9. Pour into your cup, and enjoy!

After drinking.

Once I have consumed my cacao I like to sit and do a meditation. For this I pop over to YouTube and play a heart opening meditation which I feel is very in-keeping with the nature of the cacao and its properties. I often like to pull an oracle card or get my journal out and write. I find that cacao often makes me feel much more inspired, and so once I have finished my meditation, I like to get creative! My husband likes to catch up on his sleep and wakes up feeling really refreshed!

Whatever you feel drawn to do after drinking your cacao, remember to go easy on yourself, allowing your body and intuition to show you what it needs. For cacao will bring out of you whatever it is that you are most in need of at this time!I often find that any desire for unhealthy habits fade away and that I am drawn to eat healthy foods such as fruit and vegetables which always taste so much better with some cacao inside me...

And don't forget to drink plenty of water!