FAQ
More .......FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
GENERAL INFO - EFFECTS
Ceremonial Cacao is 100% pure organic cacao from the highest quality. Its origin is from the ancient Maya lands that we know today as Central America (Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, Peru) from indigenous Maya communities where the roots of cacao ceremonies are from. They cultivate cacao with deep respect for La Madre Tierra and believe in the plant spirit "Espiritu Cacao". Honouring and respecting this sacred plant as a medicine for the heart.
The ceremonial Cacao from Herbal Cacao is 100% pure organic cacao from a very rare type of cacao bean only found in the southern region of Belize. To protect this rare high-quality cacao bean it has been "Heirloom" certified. Its flavor profile is pineapplee, raisin and tobacco making this an extremely high quality and fine flavoured, organic, Heirloom and ceremonial grade cacao bean.
If you're thinking about the psychedelic-type of consciousness-altering “high”, then the answer is no. Ceremonial cacao in no way makes you feel “high” in the way a consciousness-altering ingestible like psilocybin or cannabis does.
Mushrooms have been used for thousands of years in different traditional medicine systems. Some mushrooms have medicinal benefits and are therefore classified as “medicinal” or “functional” mushrooms. Not to be mistaken by magic mushrooms. "Medicinal" mushrooms are NOT psychedelics.
For more information: read my blog post
"The difference between medicinal mushrooms and psychedelic mushrooms"
Absolutely YES.
The cacao from Herbal Cacao is 100% vegan and only uses 100% botanically derived ingredients. NO DAIRY
In the RAW food movement, a food source is considered RAW if it's not been heated above 48 degrees. To make cacao beans available for human consumption, the beans go through an ancient old process called fermentation. This process is crucial to not only killing pathogens but also making nutrients available for the human body to absorb better.
However, in the fermentation process, temperate rises often above 48 degrees. Therefore cacao is not considered RAW, but rather UNROASTED.
Most if not all cacao/chocolate that is stated RAW is technically not RAW really RAW, as all cacao is gone through this fermentation process.
PREPERATION - STORAGE - EFFECTS
Cacao is a stimulant and therefore it's not recommended to drink just before sleeping.
You can use the medicinal drinking chocolate as a morning beverage to support a healthy morning routine. As an afternoon or pre-workout drink to boost energy levels. In the early evening for ceremony, or intense studying or alternatively before a meal to help / assist in not overeating.
It all comes down to a personal preference.
How much cacao you should take really comes down to a personal preference.
Herbal Cacao sells ceremonial cacao in blocks of 100 grams. This is good for 10 regular drinking servings or 2 potent ceremonial doses of 50 gram each, or 3 mild ceremonial doses of 33 grams each.
For your daily cup of cacao we recommned between 10-30 gram
Anything above 50g in a serving can be too much, especially for those who are just beginning their journey with Cacao. Therefor the following people should be cautious when consuming cacao in high doses and if unsure should ALWAYS check first with their GP:
- Are pregnant/breastfeeding
- Are taking any type of anti-depressants
- Have server heart problems
- When you take the CHAGA blend, be careful if you are on immune-suppressing medications, as chaga is a strong immune-regulating herb.
Cacao is always best when consumed straight after opening and when shared with loved ones. Otherwise, you best off storing them in a cool and dry place far far away from any other cacao lover.
NO, Ceremonial Cacao is not a drug. It is non-psycho-active. However, cacao is considered a sacred plant and used in ceremonies to open the heart's energy. You might experience feelings of joy, happiness and elevated emotions when consumed in high dosages.
We do not add emulsifiers to our Cacao. This may lead to the naturally occurring fats in the Cacao to separate from the solids and create white spots or a thin white layer on your Cacao. This is called blooming and is normal. The properties of the Cacao remain intact and its quality does not change
If you do not exceed the regular drinking serving of 10 grams per day, there shouldn't be any problem. However, if you feel unsure please check with your health practitioner.
You get the most health benefits from cacao when drinking it regularly. Some notice the subtle effect immediately, some recognize it after drinking cacao several times, but usually, it takes around 20 to 30 minutes for the effects to be felt, and can last anywhere between 2-4 hours depending on the dosage you take
More people are switching from coffee to cacao because of the amazing health benefits cacao offers compared to coffee.
Cacao contains very very small traces of caffeine, but nothing compared to coffee. the energy-boosting effects are mainly due to the active compound 'Theobromine'. This is an alkaloid family from caffeine that gives softer energy than, which longer-lasting effects. it’s much more gentle on the adrenal glands and nervous system, is also more alkalizing and thus doesn't provide the coffee-dip.
Are you also going to make the switch from coffee to cacao?
When you drink too much Cacao, you may experience some mild discomfort. Too much Cacao can cause headaches, nausea, and stomach disruptions due to its detoxifying effects.
SHIPPING - RETURNS
Shipping for all orders with a delivery address in the Netherlands is FREE above 50,- euro.
When we hand over your cacao package to our carrier it takes 1-2 working days for delivery and you will receive your track & trace notification by e-mail. To the e-mail that you provided when making the order via www.herbalcacao.com
Costing:
- Shipping for all orders with a delivery address in Belgium is FREE above 75,- euro
- Shipping for all orders with a delivery address in Europa is FREE above 150,- euro
- All orders below 150,- euro will depends on your shipping address (country). The amount will be calculated after you fill out your shipping address on checkout.
If your country cannot be selected..... CONTACT US by sending an e-mail with your shipping adres to info@herbalcacao.com
We will custom make your shipment and calculate the shipping cost for you.
Delivery time:
For Belgium & Germany delivery time is 1-3 business days. For another country it depends on your location and in general is between 2 and 7 days business days.
* Are you unsure? Please contact me: info@herbalcacao.com
The cacao is "ceremonial grade", meaning that it doesn't undergo any further processing, unlike chocolate where the consistency is hard and shiny.
Because of this reason the cacao can get very fragile and can get white spots on them, what is called "blooming". This is the constitution of the cacao fat affected by temperature, as cacao is an extremely sensitive product. I can guarantee you this is 100% ok and normal to happen with ceremonial cacao
It can happen that your 100-gram packaged cacao doesn't arrive completely solid, because it is much smaller than a large block of 500 grams of 2 kg, there is a chance that it will crumble much faster.
I will always do my very best to not let this happen and only send packaging intact. However, It may happen that you will receive your 100 gram cacao slightly crumbly, broken or and with white spots, due to the nature of the fragile "ceremonial cacao".
However, this does NOT affect the quality of the cacao whatsoever and it is still totally ok to use it.
I do my best to make sure that all your products are packaged suitably so that they reach you in perfect condition. Please contact me straight away if for any reason this is not the case. If the products are damaged please take a photo of it as I may need it for evidence when liaising with my courier company.
Due to the nature of the natural product, I cannot guarantee it will arrive in it's original shape. In the case the cacao has melted due to high temperature during postage, you are still able to use it. (See: Is your cacao RAW?)
In case it arrived crumbly and with white spots: Blooming" this is 100% ok and you are still able to use it (See: My cacao arrived broken and contains white spots)
Unsure? please send an email including a picture of the damage: info@herbalcacao.com
I stand behind the products that are being sold and I hope that you are more than satisfied with your products.
Please inspect the products and notify me immediately of any problem with your order.
I will promptly and fully refund the cost of any products if one of the criteria set out below applies to the product/s delivered to you:
- The products are not what you ordered;
- The delivery is of an incorrect quantity; or
- If you do not receive the products ordered (other than as a result of you providing incorrect delivery address details as above).
On warm summer days, due to the nature of cacao, I cannot guarantee that your order will be in perfect condition. I do my very best to protect the products, though often it is out of control if the postage is delayed. Herbal Cacao cannot exchange or refund any products due to the perishable nature of cacao, so please order carefully
Herbal Cacao will arrange with you for the products to be returned and reserve the right to make any refund due to you in whatever way I choose.
(See the terms & conditions)
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