A Sacred Plant Medicine for Heart-Centered Living
What Is Ceremonial Cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is pure, intentional cacao used to deepen presence, open the heart, and support holistic well-being.
Begin your ritual. Sip with intention. Feel the difference.
What Is Ceremonial Cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is pure, whole cacao in its most natural form, prepared with intention and traditionally shared as a sacred plant medicine. For thousands of years, it has been used in ritual and ceremony to support connection, clarity, and an open heart.
Unlike ordinary chocolate or cocoa powder, ceremonial cacao is minimally processed and made from high-quality 100% whole cacao beans that retain their natural fats, high mineral content, and energetic integrity. It is not consumed for stimulation or sweetness, but for presence, an invitation to slow down, soften, and listen inward.
Ceremonial cacao holds significant importance for the Maya people, who honour it as a sacred plant gifted to humanity to enrich our spirit and essence.
To be used in ceremony, high-quality cacao is important, cacao intentionally cultivated from exceptional cacao beans that carry a pure energetic profile. When prepared with intention, prayer, and respect, ceremonial cacao becomes a living vessel for the love infused from the source.
This is why understanding where cacao comes from and how it is grown matters.
Ceremonial Grade Cacao:
The frequency carried by the land, the people, and their devotion travels all the way into the cup.
Ceremonial Cacao:
A Living Plant with a Living Spirit
In many ancestral traditions, plants are viewed as living beings, each carrying its own intelligence, rhythm, and story.
Cacao is one of them.
In Maya cosmology, cacao is connected to Ixcacao, a feminine energy of fertility, abundance, and nourishment. She is the spirit of cacao, a reminder that this plant is not only food, but a living ally that supports life, creativity, and the opening of the heart.
When we sit with cacao, we are entering into a relationship, listening to a plant that has walked alongside humanity for hundreds of thousands of years, offering clarity, ancient wisdom, guidance and healing.
At Herbal Cacao, our ceremonial blends are infused with powerful herbs, spices, and medicinal mushrooms to support your body, heart, and inner world.
We honour each ingredient as a living spirit, making each cup is an intentional pause, a moment of nourishment for both body and soul, and a gentle reminder that true wellness begins with connection, connection to nature, to community, and to yourself.
The Origins of Ceremonial Cacao
Ceremonial cacao holds long-standing ancient wisdom for the Maya people, who honour it as a sacred plant gifted to humanity to enrich our spirit and essence. Considered a symbol of life and fertility, cacao nurtures physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, providing nourishment throughout the human development journey
With gratitude to Mother Earth for her sustenance and reverence for the cosmos, ceremonial cacao has long connected the Maya to the divine and the energies that enable our existence. In sacred rituals, cacao was first offered back to the Earth as an act of gratitude to our great mother, before being consumed as a sacred drink to deepen connection to the heart, strengthen our unity with ancestors, and weave bonds with the unseen realms.
Recent archaeological discoveries in the Amazon Basin reveal traces of cacao use dating back over 5,000 years, confirming what Indigenous cultures have always known: cacao was never intended as a casual or commodified food. It was prepared, shared, and consumed with intention and honoured as a ceremonial beverage that nourished both body and spirit.
For the Maya, cacao held profound spiritual, social, and medicinal importance. It was prepared as a bitter, warming drink and shared during rites of passage, prayer, healing, and communal gatherings. Through cacao, communities strengthened social bonds, honoured creation, and cultivated harmony within themselves and with the natural world, a tradition that continues to this day.
With the same love and respect, ceremonial cacao is still shared in ceremony and community, honouring the energies of creation and serving as a sacred bridge between humanity, nature, and the divine. With every cup, cacao gently opens the heart, inviting deeper connection to one’s true essence and the loving forces that sustain life, empowering self-love, one sip at a time.
At Herbal Cacao, we honour these ancient origins by working with cacao grown in its ancestral homelands, where the land, climate, and people maintain a living relationship with the plant. By remembering cacao as it was originally intended, a sacred drink, a plant spirit we build a relationship with.
where we source from: Our Cacao origins
Sourced from Indigenous Mopan and Q’eqchi Maya families
Sourced from Indigenous Q’eqchi’ and Poqomchi’ Maya families
Sourced from indigenous Q’eqchi’ Maya families
The Cacao Prophecy
The prophecy speaks of a time when humanity would fall out of balance, when the masculine would dominate, the heart would close, and humans would forget their relationship with Earth.
It is said that when the imbalance became too great, cacao, the medicine of the heart, would once again be shared openly with the world.
Ceremonial Cacao vs. Regular Chocolate
Although both ceremonial cacao and chocolate come from the same plant. Theobroma cacao, they are fundamentally different in quality, processing, intention, and impact.
Ceremonial cacao is made from whole, minimally processed cacao beans, traditionally prepared as a bitter, warming drink and consumed with intention. It is valued for its nutritional integrity, energetic qualities, and role in ritual, healing, and community connection.
Chocolate, on the other hand, is typically produced from bulk cacao varieties and further processed with refined sugar, cocoa butter, and additives. It is designed as a commercial food product: sweet, convenient, and disconnected from the ceremonial and cultural roots of cacao.
These differences influence not only flavour and texture, but also health benefits, ethical implications, and the way cacao supports the body, heart, and spirit.
To explore this distinction more deeply, read our blog post in the Herbal Cacao Journal:
Is Ceremonial Cacao Chocolate?
How Ceremonial Cacao Works on the Body & Heart
Ceremonial cacao works on both a physical and energetic level, supporting the body while gently guiding awareness back to the heart. Honoured as a subtly, yet powerful plant medicine of the heart, not because it overwhelms the senses, but because it works subtly, inviting presence, clarity, and connection.
From a physiological perspective, ceremonial cacao contains theobromine, a naturally occurring compound that gently stimulates circulation and increases blood flow to the heart. Unlike caffeine, theobromine is softer and longer-lasting, often experienced as warmth, openness, and steady energy rather than agitation. This is why cacao is traditionally described as a heart opener, supporting both physical vitality and emotional awareness.
Ceremonial cacao is also the highest plant based sourced of magnesium and rich in antioxidants, essential for nervous system regulation, muscle relaxation, and overall resilience. These nutrients help support stress management, cognitive function, and emotional balance, allowing the body to feel grounded and receptive rather than overstimulated.
Many people experience ceremonial cacao as a support for mood, focus, and emotional clarity. Cacao naturally contains compounds that encourage the release of neurotransmitters associated with well-being and connection, helping to cultivate a calm, alert state that is ideal for meditation, reflection, creativity, and intentional ritual.
In ceremonial contexts, cacao is associated with the heart chakra, inviting presence, compassion, and deeper connection to self and others. When consumed with intention, cacao supports a state of embodied awareness, grounding the mind while opening the heart.
This is the essence of cacao as plant medicine: not something that forces transformation, but something that gently supports it, meeting each person exactly where they are.
What Makes Herbal Cacao Ceremonial Cacao Unique
At Herbal Cacao, we honour ceremonial cacao as more than a sacred drink — it is a daily companion for presence, self-connection, and gentle transformation. Our blends begin with premium ceremonial grade cacao, sourced with care from its ancestral homelands and cultivated in relationship with the land and the people who tend it.
What makes Herbal Cacao unique is the way we weave cacao with potent herbs, spices, and medicinal mushrooms, each selected for their traditional wisdom and supportive qualities. These plant allies work in harmony with cacao, creating blends that nourish the body, steady the mind, and support emotional and energetic balance.
Our ceremonial cacao is crafted not only for formal ceremony, but for everyday ritual. Whether sipped in meditation, shared in community, or enjoyed as a mindful moment in daily life, our blends are designed to support consistency, integration, and embodiment — bringing the sacred into the ordinary.
From sourcing and blending to preparation and sharing, each step is guided by love, respect, and a deep commitment to community. Herbal Cacao exists to hold space — for personal journeys, collective healing, and heart-centered living.
This is cacao as relationship, ritual, and remembrance — empowering self-love, one sip at a time.
Intention is at the heart of everything we create
Together, we are co-creating a conscious new world of heart-centred living. 1-sip of cacao at a time
How to Use Ceremonial Cacao
Ceremonial cacao can be enjoyed in many ways, from a quiet daily ritual to a shared ceremonial experience. There is no single “right” way to work with cacao; what matters most is presence, intention, and listening to your body.
Daily Ritual vs Ceremonial Use
For many, ceremonial cacao becomes a daily ritual, a grounding moment in the morning, a heart-opening pause before meditation or journaling, or a gentle companion for creative flow. In this context, cacao supports consistency, awareness, and embodied presence.
In ceremonial settings, cacao is often shared in a more intentional and communal way. These moments may include prayer, music, movement, or guided reflection, allowing cacao to support deeper emotional and spiritual connection.
Both expressions are equally valid, ceremony simply amplifies what daily ritual already begins.
Suggested Dosage
Ceremonial cacao is traditionally enjoyed in a range that feels supportive rather than overwhelming.
- Daily ritual: approximately 10–30g
- Ceremonial use: approximately 30–45g
We recommend starting gently and allowing your body to guide you. Less can be more, especially when working with intention.
Best Time of Day
Ceremonial cacao is most commonly enjoyed in the morning or early afternoon, when the body is naturally receptive and the mind is open. Many people prefer cacao before meditation, movement, or creative work.
Because cacao contains theobromine, some may choose to avoid it late in the evening.
Setting Intentions
Before drinking, take a moment to pause. Hold your cup, breathe, and set an intention, whether for clarity, self-love, grounding, or simple presence. This small act transforms cacao from a beverage into a ritual.
Simple Preparation
- Heat water or plant milk (do not boil)
- Add chopped or grated ceremonial cacao
- Whisk until fully melted
- Add sweetner if desired
- Drink slowly and mindfully
Who Is Ceremonial Cacao For?
Ceremonial cacao is for anyone who feels called to slow down, listen inward, and cultivate a deeper relationship with themselves and life. It meets each person where they are, offering support that is gentle, grounding, and deeply personal.
Ceremonial cacao often resonates with seekers and creatives, those drawn to self-exploration, expression, and living with intention. It supports moments of reflection, inspiration, and creative flow, helping ideas emerge from the heart rather than the mind alone.
For meditation and yoga practitioners, cacao can be a supportive ritual drink, grounding awareness in the body while opening space for presence and connection. Many find it enhances focus, breath awareness, and the ability to sit with what arises.
Those on a healing journey, emotional, physical, or spiritual, may experience cacao as a comforting companion. Its gentle nature supports self-compassion, emotional awareness, and the courage to meet oneself with honesty and care.
For those who value pure, nutrient-dense nourishment, ceremonial cacao provides a natural source of magnesium, antioxidants, and supportive plant compounds, offering nourishment that supports both vitality and balance.
Ceremonial cacao is also for those simply longing for presence and connection in daily life. In a fast-moving world, it offers a moment to pause, reconnect, and remember what truly nourishes.
Ultimately, ceremonial cacao is for anyone seeking a nourishing daily ritual a way to bring intention, warmth, and heart into the ordinary moments of life.
Top 5 frequently asked questions
Ceremonial cacao is generally considered safe for most people when enjoyed mindfully and in moderate amounts. As a natural plant food, it contains theobromine, a gentle stimulant that may be felt differently from person to person.
Those who are sensitive to caffeine or stimulants may wish to start with a smaller amount and observe how their body responds. Listening to your body is key! Cacao works best when approached with awareness and respect.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing a medical condition, we recommend consulting a qualified healthcare professional before incorporating ceremonial cacao into your routine.
Above all, ceremonial cacao invites a relationship of trust. By moving slowly, staying present, and honouring your own needs, cacao can be enjoyed as a supportive and nourishing ally.
Yes, many people enjoy ceremonial cacao as a daily ritual. When consumed in moderate amounts, it can be a nourishing, grounding practice that supports consistency, mindfulness, and self-connection. Listening to your body and starting with smaller amounts is always recommended.
No, ceremonial cacao is not psychoactive. It does not alter perception or consciousness in the way psychedelic plants do. Instead, it works gently, supporting clarity, presence, and embodied awareness.
Ceremonial cacao is made from whole, minimally processed cacao beans and retains the natural cacao butter and nutrients. Cocoa powder is heavily processed, with much of the cacao butter removed, resulting in a different nutritional and energetic profile.
Ceremonial cacao contains small amounts of caffeine, but its primary stimulant is theobromine, which is gentler and longer-lasting. Most people experience cacao as warming and grounding rather than jittery, though sensitivity can vary.
If you feel the call, we welcome you
Begin Your Journey with Ceremonial Cacao
Ceremonial cacao is an invitation, to slow down, reconnect, and create moments of ritual in everyday life.
