Ceremonial Cacao Seeds

Ceremonial cacao seeds are cacao in its most original expression, whole, intact, and deeply rooted in ancestral tradition. In Maya cultures across Mesoamerica, cacao has long been honoured as a sacred plant, approached with reverence and intention within ceremonial, communal, and spiritual contexts.

Sourced from Indigenous Maya communities of Guatemala & Belize, these seeds reflect a living relationship between land, people, and cacao. Carefully harvested in harmony with natural cycles, then sun-dried and hand-sorted, they retain their natural form and character, offering a tangible connection to cacao’s origins beyond the cup.

These ceremonial cacao seeds may be used as offerings within ritual spaces or prepared with intention for personal use, inviting a slower, more conscious engagement with cacao’s heritage, spirit, and presence.

✧ Available Origins

Maya Mountains | Belize

Our cacao from the Maya Mountains of Belize is created in close partnership with Indigenous Mopan and Q’eqchi’ Maya family farmers, whose relationship with cacao stretches back thousands of years. Here, cacao is cultivated within biodiverse forest gardens, guided by ancestral knowledge, ceremony, and deep respect for the land.
Through long-standing relationships and direct collaboration, this cacao supports community-led livelihoods, the preservation of heirloom Criollo genetics, and a way of farming rooted in reciprocity rather than extraction. Each harvest reflects a shared commitment to dignity, cultural continuity, and care for future generations.

Laguna Lachuá | Guatemala 

In the tropical rainforest surrounding Laguna Lachuá, our cacao is grown by Q’eqchi’ Maya families who steward one of the most ecologically vibrant regions of Guatemala. These communities cultivate cacao alongside honey, cardamom, and native crops within highly biodiverse systems.
Our collaboration honours their role as guardians of sacred land and water. By sourcing cacao from this region, we support community-led conservation efforts, cultural resilience, and a way of working with cacao that reflects harmony between people, rainforest, and tradition.

Alta Verapaz | Guatemala

 High in the cloud forests of Alta Verapaz, our cacao is cultivated by Q’eqchi’ and Poqomchi’ Maya communities, whose ceremonial relationship with cacao is deeply woven into the spiritual history of the land. Referenced in the Popol Vuh, this region remains a place where cacao is grown with reverence, patience, and prayer.
Our cacao from Alta Verapaz is sourced through FEDECOVERA, a respected Indigenous cooperative supporting thousands of Maya farmers. This collaboration strengthens community well-being through education, healthcare access, and sustainable agroforestry, while protecting sacred traditions and the rainforest ecosystems that sustain them.

Each origin offers a distinct cacao experience shaped by land, climate, and ancestral cultivation practices.

☛ Learn more about the difference between our cacao origins

✧ How to Use 

Ceremonial cacao seeds are best approached with presence and intention. Their whole form invites a slower, more conscious relationship with cacao and its origins.

Ritual & Offering Use
Place the seeds on an altar, within a ceremonial bowl, or in a sacred space as a symbolic offering. They may be used during meditation, intention-setting, seasonal rituals, or moments of reflection to honour cacao’s cultural and natural heritage.

Intentional Preparation
If preparing for personal use, crack or grind the seeds using a mortar and pestle. This can be done as a mindful practice, allowing time to connect with the process. The prepared cacao may then be incorporated into ceremonial recipes or traditional preparations according to your personal ritual.

Mindful Engagement
These seeds are also suited for educational, sensory, or contemplative use, inviting exploration of cacao’s natural aroma, texture, and form as part of a deeper appreciation of the plant.

☛ Ritual Invitation

Hold the seed in your hand and feel their weight and texture. Whether placed as an offering or prepared with intention, cacao seeds invite presence, respect, and remembrance, a quiet acknowledgement of cacao’s journey from earth to hand-to-hand.

If you feel called to deepen your connection with cacao’s ancestral story, we invite you to read  “The Story of 3 Sacred Cacao Beans” on our journal, where the symbolism, lineage, and spirit of cacao are shared in more depth. 

👉 Read the story here:
https://herbalcacao.com/blogs/news/the-story-of-3-sacred-cacao-beans