Ceremonial Cacao

How to Prepare a Ceremonial Cacao Drink
The foundation of a meaningful cacao ceremony lies in two key elements: the quality of the cacao and the intention you bring to the experience. Neither should be overlooked—both are essential for unlocking the full potential of the ceremony.
In this guide, you’ll discover:
 How to prepare ceremonial cacao for the best experience
 Four essential tips to deepen your ceremony (and avoid common mistakes)
 What to expect during a well-facilitated cacao ceremony
 
A Heart-Opening Introduction to Ceremonial Cacao
When used with intention, ceremonial cacao has the power to gently open the heart and invite a deeper connection to ourselves and others. Living with more heart awareness can bring more love, abundance, and connection into our daily lives.
 
Reaping the Benefits of Ceremonial Cacao
For many, cacao ceremonies offer a profound, regular way to reconnect with the heart in a conscious and joyful way. But to fully experience the richness cacao offers, proper preparation is key. Unfortunately, many people miss out on the true potential of cacao simply because they don’t know how to prepare or consume it correctly. This can lead to disappointing experiences—or the false belief that cacao’s effects are minimal or imaginary. But the truth is: the benefits are real, powerful, and deeply nourishing.
 
Why Preparation Matters for Everyone
If you’ve tried ceremonial cacao before and felt underwhelmed, or if you’re brand new and want to begin your journey with clarity and intention—you’re in the right place. In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to prepare ceremonial cacao to create a meaningful and powerful heart-centered experience.
 
Ceremonial Cacao: A Sacred Relationship
Ceremonial cacao is the real deal—but like any meaningful relationship, it requires the right approach and understanding to truly receive its gifts. To unlock the full potential of a cacao ceremony, you need to start with the right knowledge and the right ingredients.
 
Begin with Quality
Before sharing my personal, time-tested recipe, let’s take a moment to talk about the most essential ingredient: the cacao itself. Not all cacao is created equal. For a ceremony to be truly effective, the cacao must be of the highest quality—both physically and energetically. I’ll be honest I'm deeply partial to our Ceremonial Grade Cacao, and for good reason. It's not only sourced and processed to the highest standards—pure, clean, and cultivated in ideal conditions—but it also carries a powerful energetic signature. And that matters. Cacao absorbs and reflects the energy of its journey—from how it’s grown to how it’s handled. Our cacao is cultivated on small, family-run farms and crafted in small batches with deep respect
and intention at every step. That reverence translates directly into the ceremonial experience. When you begin with cacao that’s been treated as sacred, the ceremony reflects that energy back
to you.

Choosing the Right Cacao for Ceremony
When you purchase our Ceremonial Grade Cacao, you can trust that you're receiving some of the highest quality cacao available—both in purity and energetic integrity. If you don’t yet have cacao for your ceremony, we highly recommend sourcing it from our store to ensure the best possible experience.
However, if you already have cacao or are considering buying it locally, here are a few key guidelines to determine whether it’s suitable for ceremonial use:
* Use Whole Cacao, Not Powder.
True ceremonial cacao comes from whole cacao—often in the form of paste or blocks.
* Avoid using defatted cacao powder, which is commonly sold in stores and lacks many of the beneficial compounds found in whole cacao.
* Avoid Alkalized or Dutch-Processed Cacao.
Cacao that has been alkalized or Dutch-processed—methods often used to make
chocolate bars and candies—loses many of its beneficial properties. These adulterations are not suitable for ceremonial cacao, and using them may result in little to no noticeable effects.
* Check the Cacao Content.
Make sure your cacao is 100% pure or clearly labeled with its cacao percentage. This is essential for accurately measuring your ceremonial dose.
While cacao that is specifically produced for ceremonial use (like ours) typically offers the most potent and reliable experience, it’s still possible to hold a meaningful ceremony using any cacao that meets the criteria above.
 
How to Prepare Ceremonial Cacao
Now that you know what to look for in high-quality cacao, here’s the ceremonial recipe we use and teach. It consistently provides a deep and heart-opening experience. Please note, this is a ceremonial-strength dose—larger than what you might use for daily drinking. We also recommend adding a small amount of chili or cayenne. This spice not only complements the flavor but also enhances the effects of the cacao. That said, it’s optional—you can still have a powerful ceremony without it. Below is my recipe for the perfect ceremonial cacao drink.
Ceremonial Cacao Drink
1 SERVING
10 MIN TO PREPARE

Ingredients
7 fluid ounces of water per person
2 oz / about 6 tbsp per person chopped cacao
Pinch of chili/cayenne
Natural sweetener of your choice such as honey, agave syrup, cane sugar, etc. to taste. This is optional. It is not necessary to sweeten the cacao drink to benefit from the cacao in ceremony. But most people will find the drink more enjoyable this way. Optionally, add cinnamon, cardamom, and/or vanilla to taste

Directions
Start with the cacao bar and chop with a knife into smaller pieces so it softens easily in hot water
Heat water with chili to just before boiling. It should be just too hot to touch but not boiling
Add the cacao shavings
Add sweetening and spices to taste
Use a whisk to stir the brew until all the chunks are blended and you get a frothy top
It’s helpful to have a spoon or stirring stick to keep the consistency even as you consume. The cacao will settle at the bottom over time
Serve hot & enjoy!