Discover the Rich Flavours and Health Benefits of Cacao Drink

Welcome to a world where indulgence meets wellness, where flavours dance on your palate, and where ancient traditions unlock the secrets of pure bliss, assisting you on your spiritual transformational journey back to the heart. I invite you to explore the magical world of ceremonial cacao drink. Within each sip lies a treasure trove of health benefits, waiting to be discovered and embraced.

Welcome to this blog post! My name is Sharon Fernie, founder of Herbal Cacao, a soul-nourishing destination for premium ceremonial drinking cacao. At Herbal Cacao, we carefully select rich, potent, and high vibrational ceremonial cacao directly sourced from small holder independent indigenous Maya families in southern Belize. We create unique medicinal blends by combining this premium Belizean ceremonial cacao with traditional Maya spices, medicinal mushrooms, and other adaptogenic herbs to enhance your overall well-being.

Let’s embark on a deep dive together, indulging in the heavenly flavours of ceremonial drinking cacao and experiencing the numerous health benefits of our exquisite cacao drinks. Take a sip, allow your cup of cacao to awaken your senses, and let Mama Cacao become a loving companion on your path to self-discovery, vitality, and well-being.

The Essence of Cacao Drink

In the ancient Maya civilisation, ceremonial cacao was considered as a sacred gift that connected humans to the divine, captivating the hearts and minds of its community. The Maya used cacao in various ways, in both practical and ceremonial purpose. Buy mostly in ceremony, serving as a pathway to spiritual enlightenment and opening up the communication with ancestors and the energies that shaped our existence.

At the center of Maya ceremonies, a ceremonial cacao drink was the bridge between the earthly realm and the divine. The sacred beverage created from cacao beans became a traditional cacao drink for spiritual communion. With each sip, the Maya believed they were partaking in a sacred dialogue with the energies that created our existence what some refer to as the gods, receiving wisdom, guidance, and blessings from the ethereal realms

The Maya treated cacao with great care, love and intention, creating a rich and flavourful sacred drink. It was deeply embedded in their culture, serving as currency, a muse for art, and a source of vitality. The Maya recognised its energising properties and believed in its healing abilities. Today, when we participate in a cacao ceremony, we pay tribute to the Maya’s wisdom and spiritual connection, honouring their ancient rituals and embracing the mystical power of this sacred elixir in our own journey of self-discovery and reverence for their timeless traditions.

To prepare this sacred beverage, the Maya harvested ripe cacao pods from the criollo Theobroma cacao tree. They then carefully extracted the beans and placed them carefully for the next stage for fermentation and finally sun dried them to perfection. The beans were then hand peeled to remove the outer layer “cacao husk” and ground into a fine paste using a stone metate, releasing the aroma, creating a smooth texture. The Maya often added spices like vanilla, chili, and cinnamon to enhance the flavour, infusing the cacao with a unique complexity. Finally they mixed the pure ceremonial cacao paste with water and creating a frothy consistency, through pouring it between vessels or using a traditional wooden whisk called a “Molonillo.”

During ceremonial gatherings, the Maya consumed this sacred cacao beverage, offering a cup to the energies of the day at the altar with intention and gratitude. By drinking the cacao, they believed they could connect with the divine, gain wisdom, and enter a heightened state of consciousness. This act of consuming cacao celebrated its divine essence, nourishing both body and spirit, opening the heart, enhancing focus, and promoting spiritual awakening.

Today, we can honour their traditions and embrace the spiritual connection that cacao offers by setting intentions, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in ceremonial rituals. Through this sacred beverage, we embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and connection to the sacred within ourselves and the universe.

Health Benefits of Cacao Drink

Emotional Well-being: Cacao drink has been associated with enhancing mood, promoting feelings of happiness, and reducing anxiety and stress. Studies suggest that the bioactive compounds in cacao, such as phenylethylamine (PEA) and anandamide, may contribute to these mood-boosting effects.

Heart Health: The flavonoids found in cacao have been linked to cardiovascular benefits, including improved blood flow, reduced inflammation, and lowered blood pressure. In Regular consumption of cacao has shown potential in reducing the risk of heart disease.

Enhanced Focus and Concentration: Cacao contains stimulants like theobromine and caffeine, which can provide a gentle energy boost and help in concentration and focus. These compounds, in combination with other nutrients, have shown in several studies cognitive-enhancing effects.

Antioxidant Powerhouse: Ceremonial cacao drink is packed with antioxidants, such as flavonoids and polyphenols, which help combat free radicals and oxidative stress. Many studies suggest that these antioxidants contribute to overall health and may have anti-aging effects.

Spiritual Connection: The unique blend of bioactive compounds and ceremonial use of cacao drink can support meditation, mindfulness, and inner exploration, deepening the connection to your inner world and the spiritual realm. By consuming a ceremonial cacao drink with intention you can embark on a transformative journey, accessing heightened states of consciousness, and experiencing a profound connection with your self, others, and the spiritual realm.

Nutritional Boost: Ceremonial cacao is a rich source of essential minerals like magnesium, iron, and zinc. These minerals are vital for various functions in our body, including muscle and nerve function, immune support, and energy production. Additionally, cacao contains fiber and healthy fats, contributing to a balanced and nutritious diet.

Our Exceptional Ceremonial drinking Cacao

At Herbal Cacao, we combine the ancient wisdom of medicinal plant medicine with the rich indulgence of Ceremonial cacao. With a great attention to detail and loving intention we source our ingredients thoughtfully, ensuring that each sip of your cacao drink is a transformative experience. Processing these special beans into these potent medicinal blends requires the upmost love, care and attention to detail and we therefor only collaborate with trusted partners that value and respect our mother nature and hep us build a thriving new way in the cacao industry leaving a positieve social en environmental impact .

Our cacao is sourced from around 400 different indigenous Maya family farmers of southern Belize. These family farmers are from 2 different Maya nations: Mopan & Q’eqchi, located in the region know as Maya Mountains, which also happens to be the least-developed and most rural region of Belize. The ancient native criollo variety of cacao grows naturally here on their sacred lands in the Maya Mountains, where they have been farming organic ceremonial grade cacao from generation upon generation. Read more about our cacao…

Indulge in our unique Herbal Cacao blends, carefully created to awaken your senses and harmonise your being. Immerse yourself in the traditional Maya flavours and aromas, knowing that each cacao drinking cup is infused with the highest-quality herbs / spices and ceremonial-grade cacao.

The different flavours blends in our collection

Our cacao is personally, ethnically and sustainably sourced from indigenous Maya families, who harvest their cacao with a deep love and respect for La Madre Tierra. Read more about our cacao

We currently offer 5 unique blends with their own flavour profile. But more important with its own specific “healing propperties”

1. NATURAL: 100% Ceremonial Cacao from indigenous Maya families of Belize. The cacao tree, also referred to as “Cucu” is a national tree in their community and grows in perfect harmony together with pineapple, vanilla and tobacco trees, which provided the subtle tones to this fine flavored and rare cacao bean. Everything on their lands is grown naturally / organically and in biodiversity, which is the perfect condition for cacao to flourish.
2. SIGNATURE BLEND: Ceremonial Cacao infused with traditional Maya Spices: Cayenne pepper: A native spice from the ancient Maya lands to help increase cacao’s medicinal powers. It helps to increase to blood flow, digestive health and the amount of heat your body produces, making you burn more calories and may give you a fuller feeling for longer. It may reduce inflammation and pushes clean, oxygenated blood to your cells. Ceylon Cinnamon: A powerful herb used as a traditional medicine to increase circulation. The antioxidants in cinnamon have anti-inflammatory effects and Cinnamaldehyde has antifungal and antibacterial properties. Cinnamon may also help reduce blood sugar levels. Vanilla: Cacao and Vanilla go together like Romeo and Juliet. Smelling vanilla can have calming effects on the mind. Both Aztecs & Maya used vanilla to enhance the heart-opening effects of cacao, as they believed that adding vanilla would give aphrodisiac effects.
3. BRAIN POWER: Ceremonial Cacao infused with Lion’s Mane Mushroom and traditional Maya Spices. LION’S MANE Hericium Erinaceus. When you see this mushroom you will understand its name. Also known as “Monkey Head Mushroom”. Buddhist monks used Lion’s Mane mushroom to enhance brain power and heighten their focus during meditation. Lion’s Mane is a very well studied medical mushroom and is non-psychedelic. This blend contains 1000mg of a Dual-extract with more then 30% Polysaccharides. Read more 
4. IMMUNE SUPPORT Ceremonial Cacao infused with Chaga Mushroom and traditional Maya Spices. CHAGA Inonotuus Obliquus. There are many types of mushrooms but Chaga is Unique! Also known as “The King of the Medicinal Mushrooms”. This edible fungus is native to our Northern Hemisphere where it’s been used for thousands of years by Siberian tribes and shamans as a medicinal plant. Chaga is classified as a functional mushroom (non-psychedelic).  This fantastic fungy is extremely potent in antioxidants and immune-boosting chemicals. It has the highest ORAC score compared to any other food source in the whole world! One of the most important components in Chaga are the beta-glucans (a well-studied polysaccharide). And Melanin is a super antioxidant for protecting and repairing our DNA, whilst fighting radiation. A true king in the mushroom world !  Read more … 
5. PASION: Ceremonial Cacao infused with Mucuna Pruriens, Rose petals & vanilla. Mucuna Pruriens is an adaptogenic herb that has been used for thousands of years by indigenous tribes for mood boosting and as a nutrient dense superfood. Also known as “The velvet bean ” or “kapikachhu” tonic herb and well known for it its mood elevating abilities, as well as being creativity and libido enhancing. Mucuna Pruriens is one of the only naturally occurring sources of L-Dopa-as in dopamine. L-Dopa, is a naturally occurring amino acid which transforms into Dopamine in the brain. Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that ignites a feeling of joy and bliss. This blend contains 1000mg of Mucuna Pruriens. Read more….Rose: This flower exerts a positive effect on your body, mind and skin and has been used since ancient times. Roses are not only a universal symbol of love but also a natural aphrodisiac. According to Ayurveda, rose petals are very effective in helping a person feel sexually active by acting on two essential doshas in our body, which in turn regulate heart, mind and the nervous system. Rose also helps with digestion Vanilla: Cacao and Vanilla go together like Romeo and Juliet. Smelling vanilla can have calming effects on the mind. Both Aztecs & Maya used vanilla to enhance the heart-opening effects of cacao, as they believed that adding vanilla would give aphrodisiac effects.

We are looking to expand our collection in the near future with different blends / flavour profiles & other health benefits.. Join our news letter to stay informed about our new products

How to Prepare the Perfect Cacao Drink

There a several ways on how you can prepare your cacao drink. depending on the tolls you have to hand or the time you have available to prepare this health boosting sacred beverage. But ultimately it comes down to melting the appropriate amount of cacao with warm liqued to and lets your taste buds explode with this ancient aromas and flavours in your own home made ceremonial cacao drink.

1. Decide your dosage. Selection the dosage is the first step of preparing your cacao drink. It depends on the individual how much ceremonial cacao to use. See here our general guidlines:
   • 1 bag contains 100 gram
   • 10 gram = Regular serving
   • 20 gram = Meditation serving
   • 30+ gram > max 50 gram = Ceremonial serving
2. Add warm water or (plant) milk. Recent studies suggest that cows milk blocks the absorption of minerals. TIP: Try not to boil the liquid, as it changes the chemical nature of the bean and vital nutrients could get lost
3. Blend / Whisk your cacao drink to a delicious silky, frothy elixer. Some of the Herbal Cacao blends are already potently spiced with: Cayenne pepper, Ceylon cinnamon, Vanilla or Rose. But feel free to add any other sweeteners / herbs / spices of your choice.

Traditionally a “Molonillo” was used to froth the cacao drink. When placing the hands on this wooden instrument the love and intention is being transferred into the cacao. The bubbles would radiant the colours of the rainbow and Maya Legend says its the representation of the spirit of Cacao “IxCacao”

Nowadays a electronic mixer is used to create the same effect. However, personally i still prefer the molonillo as it brings me back to the traditional way honouring a sacred tradition and allows me to already consciously whisper my intention into my cup of ceremonial cacao

Uplift Your Well-being with Cacao Rituals

The sacred practice of engaging with ceremonial-grade cacao in a mindful and intentional manner can be done in many different forms of rituals. These rituals involve creating a safe space, setting intentions, and consuming cacao with reverence. Creating a sacred moment of self-care and mindfulness, offering a pathway to deep inner connection and self-exploration. This sacred cacao ritual is asking you to slow down, be fully present, and surrender to the feminine flow within you. Softly opening up your heart and cultivate a sense of gratitude, promoting emotional well-being and a deeper connection to yourself and the world around you.

Cacao rituals can serve as a form of meditation, creating a moment in your daily routine for reflection, and intention setting. The presence of cacao acts as a gentle facilitator, helping to quiet the mind and enhance focus. Through this practice, you can tap into your inner wisdom, access heightened states of consciousness, and cultivate a deeper sense of self-awareness and self love. Offerring a space for self-care and nurturing, allowing you to prioritise your well-being and engage in a meaningful and transformative experience.

In our online community we come together to deepen our relationship with this extrordinairy sacred beverage. we drink cacao together and empower each other to love out our hearts desires. Join the first cacao circle for free to get the vibe of this sacred community gatherings. Click here to join our community

Reviews

Embrace the Ceremonial cacao Lifestyle

In today’s fast-paced and demanding world, people are increasingly seeking moments of peace, connection, and self-care. As a result, people are retrieving back to ancient practices that still embody these principles as a normal state of being. Ceremonial cacao is aiding in building a bridge between ancient wisdom, mindfulness, nourishment, and spiritual connection and modern lifestyle.

Ceremonial cacao has found its place in the modern lifestyle as a way to intentionally pause and create a sacred space amidst the hustle and bustle of daily routines. It serves as a gentle reminder to slow down, tune into the present moment, and nurture yourself. Whether you enjoy the rich flavors & nourishing properties in the morning to set intentions for the day ahead or in the evening as a grounding practice, a cup of ceremonial cacao drink offers a transformative experience that nourishes both body and soul.

When you incorporate ceremonial cacao drink as a sacred beverage into your lifestyle, you are not just upgrading your diet with the right nutritional intake, but you are also upgrading your emotional and mental well-being. Adding this simple but profound cacao drink to your daily routine and rituals can work like magic for your overall health.

The act of preparing your daily cacao drink itself becomes a meditative ritual. From carefully measuring the cacao to mindfully whisking to make it creamy and frothy, each step is infused with intention and love, bringing a sense of ceremony and meaning to your daily routine

In a world that often emphasizes productivity and constant stimulation, the modern lifestyle is embracing ceremonial cacao as a pathway to balance, presence, and spiritual connection. Allowing you to lovingly transition from your masculine energy to surrender to the flow of the feminine. The spirit of cacao is known by many who have embraced her in their hearts as a nurturing, loving warm hug, but only if we allow her. Mama cacao will help you open up your heart; she will speak to you like a gently loving whisper. All we have to do is slow down, embrace her, and listen. By incorporating this ancient practice into our daily rituals, we can carve out moments of sacredness and find comfort and love in the simple act of enjoying a cup of ceremonial cacao. It is through these intentional pauses in our daily routine that we can rediscover the joy of being fully present and reconnect with our inner wisdom, fostering a sense of harmony and well-being in our lives.

This sacred cacao drink offers a moment of self-reflection and introspection, encouraging you to explore your inner landscape and cultivate self-awareness. As you sip a delicious cup of ceremonial cacao, I invite you to listen to the whispers of your heart, to explore your dreams and desires, and to nourish your soul with each sip.

Thank you for reading my blog post about the rich flavours and health benefits of cacao drink, Feel free to share this post with anyone who you might think can benefits from this.

With love,

Sharon

Founder, Herbal Cacao