If you have been in the wellness space for a while, you may have heard of a cacao ceremony – the act of drinking cacao as a ritual, usually done in a group gathering, and often including a blessing and various group exercises. The cacao they drink at the ceremony is not just any cacao, but an unprocessed version of ceremonial cacao.

What Is Ceremonial Cacao?

Simply put, ceremonial cacao is an untampered bar or piece of chocolate made from premium whole cacao beans that still maintains all the health benefits of pure cacao. It is minimally processed, roasted at much lower temperatures than traditional chocolate, and many processing stages are skipped entirely.

Although you may have seen cacao in powder form, that is not ceremonial cacao as the cocoa butter has been removed from it, is usually made from lower-quality cacao beans, and roasted at much higher temperatures. Ceremonial cacao is far more medicinally potent and still contains cacao butter, which has an essential fat that plays a major role in the medicinal properties of cacao.

What Are the Benefits of Ceremonial Cacao?

The reported psychological and mood benefits of cacao are usually an increase in energy levels, a greater feeling of wellbeing, a happier mood, greater feelings of connection towards others, increased inspiration, and feeling more spiritually connected.

Physically, ceremonial-grade cacao can improve cognitive function, support cardiovascular health as it increases blood flow, boost the immune system, support the gut, enhance sleep quality, and improve athletic performance. These benefits are largely due to the fact that cacao is full of nutrients and is one of the richest sources of antioxidants on Earth, making it incredibly anti-inflammatory.

History of Ceremonial Cacao

Ceremonial cacao can be traced back to Native Mesoamerican cultures where it was used in ceremonies of sacrifice, marriage, births, baptisms, and virtually any other ceremony of importance. A staple in the Aztec and Mayan cultures, cacao was (and in many ways still is) considered a “sacred, elite, and ritualistic plant” and was considered to be one of the products “used to create humanity” (ChocoVivo).

How Can I Experience Ceremonial Cacao?

Here at Altha our favorite ceremonial cacao and what we use during our experiences is Ora Cacao. Their products are ethically sourced, organic, GMO free, sugar free, vegan, keto, and soy free and they also offer plenty of resources regarding recipes, rituals, and ceremonies. We recommend that you check them out!

Ceremonial Cacao at Altha

We are excited to now offer ceremonial cacao as an add-on to any of our private or corporate sound healing experiences! Interested in learning more? Feel free to Connect with Us!

Informational sources: ChocoVivo, Ora Cacao, and To’Ak Chocolate.

---

New to Altha? We are an LA-based modern sound healing-focused wellness company committed to creating bespoke wellness experiences in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Marina Del Rey, Orange County and beyond!

Back to Journal