Personally and Ethically Sourced CEREMONIAL-GRADE CACAO
High-Vibrational Health & Spirituality
Cacao is chocolate in its purest form. Many of the indigenous communities all over MesoAmerica have understood the power and the importance that this plant carries for us.
Not only is it a superfood with many incredible physical and mental benefits, but when working with Ceremonial-grade Cacao in a sacred way and with reverence, it assists us with emotional cleansing and spiritual hygiene.
We have a direct relationship with the Cacao growing communities in Bali, land of the gods, as well as the Mayan lands of Guatemala, where we source our Ceremonial-Grade Cacao:
- 100% unprocessed whole superfood
- Ethically, personally, responsibly & directly sourced
- Supporting small-scale family-farms & social enterprise
- Sustainable permaculture & regenerative farming practices
- Connecting to sacred reciprocity, nature, community, spirit
- Blessing rituals offered throughout the different stages
- Intentional & careful handling from tree to cup
- Beans are ground into paste at origin, energy from land & people remains intact, monies remain within the communities
Cacao is a beautiful Master Plant teacher which allows us to go deeper into the exploration of the heart, increasing our knowing of what’s going on inside us, while also providing us an opportunities to dive deeper into the collective energy, building community and activating our creativity.
It is know as the medicine of love, because there are so many physical benefits, as well as energetic and spiritual benefits, that allow us to go deeper into the understanding of what it really means to live from a place of connection and love.
Have you ever wondered why it is so important to work with Ceremonial-grade Cacao when holding a Cacao Ceremony or Cacao Ritual?
The energetic frequency of plants is influenced by how they are grown, harvested and processed. When working with Cacao for ceremonies and therapeutic benefits, it’s essential to have the highest quality to fully experience the magic of Mama Cacao.
About the Sacred Cacao we Source at Cape Cacao…
The ceremonial-grade Cacao we offer is based on relationship between people and land. Our partnerships in Bali and Guatemala began from our founder, Fran, visiting the lands and communities which grow this special Cacao. She continues to pilgrimage to the source of origin to invest in these relationships, to honour the culture, and the jungles where the Cacao trees are grown.
We support indigenous communities which live in sacred connection to land, ancestry and culture. Traditional rituals being held different stages of the planting, growing, harvesting, fermenting, drying, processing and packaging process.
Small-scale organic family farmers use traditional farming methods, treating the cacao with love and respect. With a potent energy, this Cacao reflects the vibration and love of the land, its people and their relationship to all of life.
Our Cacao Partnerships…
Since 2019, we’ve partnered with Ubud Raw in Bali, Indonesia, bringing ethically sourced Cacao to South Africa from the “island of the gods”. This Balinese Cacao, sourced from the Jembrana community, will always have a very special place in our heart.
While Cacao traditionally originates in MesoAmerica, the plant and its associated Spirit ixCacao, thrive on the land and in the culture of Bali, where our partner farmers tend to her with absolute love and devotion, from seed to cup.
Listening to the call to connect to the origins of Cacao, Fran made her maiden voyage to Guatemala in early 2024, where she established a relationship with Tuqtuquilal in the northern Guatemalan jungle.
A natural resonance between Fran and Tuqtuquilal owners and managers, Kalix (a local indigenous Maya) and Robyn, led to a beautiful new partnership between Tuqtuquilal and Cape Cacao. After visiting the land, getting to know the farmers and the community women who process their Cacao, Tuqtuquilal ceremonial-grade Cacao found its way across the ocean and onto the Cape Cacao webshop.
Fran pilgrimaged again to Guatemala to continued her service to Cacao. She has been initiated under the guidance of indigenous elders, Tata Izaias and Nana Izabel (founders of LavaLove), into the facilitation of sacred Cacao and ceremony from the Mayan Cosmovision.
Tata and Nana personally oversee ever aspect of their sacred LavaLove Cacao, harvested from the Pacific Coast of Guatemala. Cape Cacao is now an ambassador for LavaLove Cacao in South Africa, which is also available on our webshop.
Through the combination of Balinese Cacao and Mayan Cacao, a sacred triangle of Cacao has established itself between our Cacao lands in Bali and Guatemala, and South Africa, where we bring these beautiful energies of each Cacao origin to you, personally and ethically sourced with love.
The auspiciousness of this triad of partnerships is based on more than just practicalities… when considering the earth’s energetic vortices it becomes clear that this truly is a sacred triangle of Cacao connections.
Ley lines connecting ancient spiritual sites run in line with underground streams and magnetic currents. They are the “Earth’s metaphysical veins” that spread energy and information from place to place.
Where two or more ley lines pass each other, that place is especially sacred, powerful and healing. These spiritual places of the earth are scattered all over the world, and Bali, Guatemala, and Cape Town (Cape Cacao’s base in South Africa) are all part of this sacred energetic grid.
Harmony, Respect, Reciprocity…
It is important to us that the farmers who grow our Cacao and their families are receiving fair compensation for the love they invest in tending to our Cacao, as this supports enough economic independence to empower the local market.
At Cape Cacao, we take our commitment to Cacao seriously. We collaborate with cooperatives of small-scale family-run farms in Bali and Guatemala, where Cacao trees are grown and harvested sustainably.
The traditional cultures of both the Balinese (Bali) and Mayan (Guatemala) hold cosmo-visions which align with our values of honouring Mother Nature and Great Spirit.
There is also a harmony between people and land, as well as between all the people involved, is at the heart of our work. Our founder, Fran, continues to deepen relationships with the people and land of the Cacao-growing communities we support.
Ceremonial-grade for us means that all the processes from harvest to roasting, peeling and grinding is done with love and respect, with fair payments and treatment to all hands involved, as well as deep spiritual connection to mother nature. We offer Cacao which embodies care, respect and reverence from tree to cup.
After harvesting, our Cacao is carefully hand-peeled by the women in the communities. Minimal processing ensures that the Cacao retains its valuable biochemicals, micro-nutrients, and antioxidants for maximum health benefits, and no additional heat is added.
We feel it is important that all the steps are done with a lot of heart – from growing, harvesting, fermenting, sun-drying, and hand-peeling, through to the grinding on either traditional block or with a small ball-mill grinder.
Throughout all these phases, our Cacao undergoes traditional rituals, and it receives a final blessing again before it leaves its origin to make its way to us in South Africa. When the Cacao arrives at Cape Cacao, we hold a ceremony to honour its arrival. When you place an order, we bless your Cacao once again to ensure it reaches you with the highest vibration and utmost love.
Profile of Guatemala Origins:
Environment: Small Mayan villages and family farms in mountain valleys. Agroforestry – young orchards of fruit forests in close proximity to many homes, surrounded by wild nature.
Flavour profile: Balanced, light fruity bitterness, soft vanilla notes and a citrus touch.
Location: Alta Verapaz, Lanquin; Pacific Coast, Suchitepequez; altitude 300m.
Fermentation: 5-9 days in large wooden boxes.
Drying: Natural and slow, in a drying hot-house or open-air outside.
Genetics: Blend of local hybrids, including Criollo.
Organisation: 70 Q’eqchi families organised in Tuqtuquilal cooperative; LavaLove – supporting Kaqchikel families.
Learn more about our Tuqtuquilal origin here on our webshop.
Learn more about our LavaLove origin here on our webshop.
Profile of our Bali Origin:
Environment: Small Balinese villages and family farms in mountain valleys. Agroforestry – young orchards of fruit forests in close proximity to many homes, surrounded by wild nature.
Flavour profile: Balanced, creamy, smooth, with a hint of vanilla.
Location: Jembrana Regency, 490 hectares, altitude 100-250m.
Fermentation: 7-10 days in large wooden boxes.
Drying: Natural and slow, in a drying hot-house or open-air outside.
Genetics: Forastero and Trinitario.
Organisation: 410 Balinese families organised in a cooperative (Koperasi Kakao Kerta Semaya Samaniya)
Learn more about our Bali origin here on our webshop.
It goes without say that our Ceremonial Cacao is 100% organic, vegan, and allergen-free… a true superfood carrying the vibrant energy and love of the land and its people.
- An unprocessed wholefood, as Mother Nature intended
- Ethically sourced from family-farms in Bali and Guatemala where the land and Cacao trees are prayed over daily
- Traditional farming methods are used, aligning with Nature’s wisdom and treating the land and Cacao respectfully
- Ceremonies are held at different stages of the planting, growing, harvesting and packaging phases
- The delicious, creamy flavour with a potent energy reflects the vibration and love of the people and land where it is grown
- Before you receive your Cacao from us, we hold a final ritual personalised just for you, to continue the harmonious way in which land, people and life live in sacred reciprocity
Our Annual Cacao Pilgrimage…
To the Cacao-growing communities and lands we travel, to pay our respects to the spirit of cacao at origin, and also to continue to connect with develop relationships with the people and nurture partnerships.
People, land and spirit – with heart, this incredible plant medicine is shared to assist us back into right-relationship with ourselves, our communities, and Mother Nature. Click here to learn more about our Cacao Pilgrimage.
Why is Cacao so good for you?
For centuries the highest quality ceremonial-grade superfood Cacao has been used for health, healing and spiritual connection in ritual and ceremony.
BODY: supports immune, gut and overall health
MIND: elevates mood, focus and clarity
SPIRIT: heart-opening, grounding and enlightening
Our Ceremonial-grade Cacao is a whole food source, the way nature intended – it has not been processed further than necessary.
- Health-boosting, anti-aging, disease-fighting superfood
- High levels of anti-oxidants (flavanols and polyphenols) assist stem cell regeneration
- High in magnesium – an essential mineral and muscle relaxant
- High quantities of iron, B-complex vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper and tryptophan
- Healthy fats which support the absorption of cacao’s magic
- Increases blood flow to the brain for awareness and focus
- Boosts the immune system, assisting the body to heal
- Contains theobromine – a bitter alkaloid which stimulates the cardiovascular system, experienced as uplifting and grounding
- Releases “happy hormones” (serotonin, dopamine) and neurotransmitters (anandamide, PEA) for elevated mood
- Regularly tested for safe levels of heavy metals
When *regularly consumed (in the correct dosage and manner for each unique individual), Cacao can support heart and brain health, boost memory, stimulate concentration and clarity, manage anxiety and depression, bring us closer to our cycles and hormonal balance, and allow us to live in a connected way not only to our body and mind, but also our heart and spirit.
* Please note that there are certain contraindications such as serious heart conditions, very low blood pressure and high sensitivity to theobromine (the active stimulant in Cacao) – in some cases the dosage may need to be lowered and consumption time monitored.
We offer online support (single once-off sessions, packages, trainings) to assist you to bring this powerful plant ally into your life. Email us info@capecacao.com for assistance.
Valuing Unique Cacao Bloom…
The lack of uniformity in each block of Cacao is a sure sign of quality.
“Cacao Bloom” is a natural occurrence where the Cacao butter separates slightly from the solids, creating a unique and different look (which range from swirls to blotch patterns) and texture variations such as crumbling.
To avoid bloom (which we never want to do with Ceremonial-Cacao) the Cacao would have to be repeatedly heated and the ground Cacao beans tempered… because this changes the energies in Cacao, as well compromising the nutrient profile), this is not considered Ceremonial-grade Cacao.
In summary so far, we love bloom!
The more variation in a batch of Cacao, the more assured you can be of its high quality because this is a sign of minimal processing (resulting in easy separation in warmer climates).
When you encounter a particularly hard and shiny block of Cacao or small disks that melt in your mouth and make a smooth drink without much stirring you most likely have a source that has used more processing, repeated heating, tempering and industrial machines – which is not necessarily wrong yet will slightly alter the energetics and can even lead to less nutritious benefits and closer resemble conventional dark chocolate rather than ceremonial-grade Cacao.
Over time we don’t even notice the “imperfection” of the look and texture, but rather the unique beauty in each block.
A profound realisation to apply to life – Mama Cacao teaches us in these small yet powerful ways.
So there you have it, from our hearts to yours, imperfection and uniqueness is what we value.
We value uniqueness & cacao bloom
The lack of uniformity in each block of Cacao is a sure sign of quality.
“Cacao Bloom” is a natural occurrence where the Cacao butter separates slightly from the solids, creating a unique and different look (which range from swirls to blotch patterns) and texture variations such as crumbling.
To avoid bloom (which we never want to do with ceremonial Cacao) the Cacao would have to be repeatedly heated and the ground Cacao beans tempered… because this changes the energies in Cacao, as well compromising the nutrient profile), this is not considered ceremonial-grade Cacao.
In summary so far, we love bloom!
The more variation in a batch of Cacao, the more assured you can be of its high quality because this is a sign of minimal processing (resulting in easy separation in warmer climates).
As fellow Cacao sister Laura Durban so eloquently puts it:
“When you encounter a particularly hard and shiny block of Cacao or small disks that melt in your mouth and make a smooth drink without much stirring you most likely have a source that has used more processing, repeated heating, tempering and industrial machines – which is not necessarily wrong yet will slightly alter the energetics and can even lead to less nutritious benefits and closer resemble conventional dark chocolate rather than ceremonial-grade Cacao.”
Over time we don’t even notice the “imperfection” of the look and texture, but rather the unique beauty in each block.
A profound realisation to apply to life – Mama Cacao teaches us in these small yet powerful ways.
So there you have it, from our hearts to yours, imperfection is what we value.
And we see your “imperfections” as unique and beautiful too, just like our blocks of Cacao.
What is ethically sourced Ceremonial-grade Cacao?
There is an unfortunate growing trend in Cacao spaces, whereby the term “ceremonial-grade” is being misused for marketing purposes.
False advertising is not only unethical but it most certainly is not in alignment with the energy and integrity of true Ceremonial-grade Cacao. We always advocate responsible sourcing of ceremonial-grade cacao, and part of our purpose is to educate others around this.
So how do you know which branding to trust? For a start, low prices should ring a warning bell.
If permaculture and regenerative farming practices are followed (and the land is respected), and the farming is on a small-scale level (which produces less yield) and the farmers are compensated fairly, then it is almost impossible to have a low retail price for “ceremonial-grade” outside of the equatorial belt (because it has to be imported, and this is costly).
Somewhere along the line, the hands that grow the Cacao are being exploited if the retail price is lower than other Cacao products. And this is not within the ethical framework of ceremonial-grade!
As soon as Cacao becomes another commercialised commodity, it is NOT ceremonial-grade.
Perhaps sellers should rethink using the term “ceremonial-grade”, which would resolve any misinterpretation or false advertising.
Can Cacao from Africa be Ceremonial-grade?
From our ongoing research we have sadly realised that Africa does not produce a “ceremonial-grade” Cacao from bean to paste at origin (yet… we live in hope this will change in the future). For starters, there is such a dark history with Cacao and exploitation in Africa that it is important to have a healthy amount of skepticism to labels of African origin that claim to be “ceremonial-grade”.
We feel a lot more information is needed on these “ceremonial” products, especially the origins from certain African countries where human trafficking related to Cacao farming is still ongoing.
Another concern is that, even if labour and farming practices are sound, most social-enterprise system and regenerative farming areas in Africa sell Cacao beans for export – this means that the grinding of beans into paste is not happening at origin location, nor country of origin, thereby removing potential jobs from communities as well as changing the energy (beans are removed from source before being transformed into paste, thereby not holding the entire frequency of land and culture).
While there are some wonderful organisations assisting in soil regeneration and community empowerment through Cacao farming and social enterprise, it will take a long time for a harmonious state of land and of people to be the reality. Previous exploitation of people, their culture and traditions, as well as land and natural resources, has cast a long shadow which will need time and dedication across the socio-political-economic future.
We are constantly remaining updated with the the world of Cacao, and are committed to our service in this world by only offer Cacao from ethical sources. Until such a time as things improve in Africa, we continue to support the work of our Cacao partners in Bali and Guatemala, who honour Cacao, the land, and their cultural traditions with the utmost integrity.
We hope this can be taken in the spirit in which it is intended – to honour the Spirit of Cacao, to educate, to learn and grow together, and to make sure that all of us continue to work with and share this beautiful heart medicine with integrity.
How to Source Cacao Responsibly…
Below are some questions we encourage you to ask directly to the seller before purchasing:
🔹️SPIRITUAL RECIPROCITY WITH MOTHER NATURE:
– Is the Spirit of Cacao or Mother Nature revered?
– Is there a spiritual connection to the land and respect to all of life?
– Is there respect and harmony between the people involved in the chain of supply from soil to cup?
🔹️FARMING PRACTICES:
– How do the farmers treat the land?
– While the product may be labelled as organic and heirloom, do permaculture and regenerative farming practices apply?
– Are the seeds genetically modified or non-GMO?
🔹️PROCESSING THE BEANS:
– Are the beans fermented?
– Are the beans naturally sun-dried?
– How are the beans winnowed, and how?
– Is any heat added, and how?
– What method is used to reach the “Cacao paste” consistency?
🔹️RELATIONSHIP & SOCIAL IMPACT:
– Do you know the farmers or the co-operative personally, or the reputable Ceremonial-grade Cacao source (thereby ensuring it is directly-traded)?
– Do the farmers decide on the price, or is it dictated to them by the market (thereby making sure they are fairly compensated for)?
– How much revenue goes back to the farmers?
PLEASE NOTE: Sometimes even the seller’s intention is pure, but they are ignorant to crucial information which would directly impact the use of the term “ceremonial-grade”.
Education on both sides, seller and purchaser, is important.
We would love to hear from you – send us an email info@capecacao.com with your thoughts.
Thank you for considering this important topic!
CEREMONIAL-GRADE CACAO – WHAT IS IT?
We invite you to check out our podcast series hosted by Cape Cacao founder and medicine woman, Fran Siebrits, as she connects with other chats to other cacao practitioners, facilitators, producers, educators, and colleagues about all things ceremonial-grade cacao and ceremony, diving deeper into these topic.
