Personally & 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
We source our ceremonial-grade cacao from Guatemala and Bali.
Our founder, Fran, embarks on regular cacao pilgrimages to these lands to connect in-person with the cacao-growing communities we support, and continues to establish deeper relationships with the people and land.
The traditional cultures in both Bali (Hindu) and Guatemala (Maya) hold cosmo-visions which align with our values of honouring Mother Nature and Great Spirit.
Ceremonial-grade for us means that all these 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 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.
Harmony, respect and reciprocity between people and land, as well as between all the people involved, is at the heart of our work.
Details of both the Bali and Guatemala ceremonial-cacao we offer:
Environment: Small 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 (Bali): Balanced, creamy, smooth, with a hint of vanilla.
Flavour profile (Guatemala): Balanced, light fruity bitterness, soft vanilla notes and a citrus touch.
Location (Bali): Jembrana Regency, 490 hectares, altitude 100-250m.
Location (Guatemala): Alta Verapaz, Lanquin valley, altitude 300m.
Fermentation: 7-9 days in large wooden boxes.
Drying: Natural and slow, in a drying hot-house or open-air outside.
Genetics (Bali): Forastero and Trinitario.
Genetics (Guatemala): Blend of local hybrids.
Ownership (Bali): 410 Balinese families organised in a cooperative (Koperasi Kakao Kerta Semaya Samaniya)
Ownership (Guatemala): 70 Q’eqchi families organised in a cooperative (Tuqtuquilal)
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 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.
At Cape Cacao, we take our commitment to cacao seriously. We collaborate with a cooperative of small-scale family-run farms in Bali and Guatemala, where cacao trees are grown and harvested sustainably. The Cacao is handled with care, respect and reverence from tree to cup.
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.
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.
Throughout the planting, growing, and harvesting 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.
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.
We invite you to experience the divine essence of our Ceremonial Cacao, a sacred heart medicine.
Have you taken a look at our Ceremonial-grade Cacao on the webshop?
Annually we embark on a 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.
- This special Cacao is a whole superfood, as Nature intended
- Our beans are ethically sourced from certified organic family farms in Bali and Guatemala where the land and Cacao trees are prayed over daily
- Traditional growing and harvesting methods are used where the Cacao is treated with love and respect
- Ceremonies are held at different stages of the planting, growing, harvesting and packaging phases
- It has a delicious, creamy flavour with a potent energy – reflective of 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
- Perfect for group ceremonies or private home use
Why is Cacao so good for you?
For centuries the highest quality ceremonial-grade superfood Cacao has been used for health, healing & spiritual connection in ritual and ceremony.
BODY: supports immune, gut & overall health
MIND: elevates mood, focus & clarity
SPIRIT: heart-opening, grounding & 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 & focus
- Boosts the immune system, assisting the body to heal
- Contains theobromine – a bitter alkaloid which stimulates the cardiovascular system, experienced as uplifting & 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 the correct dosage and manner, most people will find it beneficial to incorporate cacao into their lives.
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).
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.
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.
As soon as Cacao becomes another commercialised commodity, it is NOT 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… as we live in hope), and there is such a dark history with Cacao and exploitation in Africa as well, so it is important to have a healthy amount of skepticism to labels of African origin that are “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!
If permaculture farming practises 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!
Therefore, for starters, as soon as Cacao becomes another commodity and is commercialised, it is NOT ceremonial-grade.
Perhaps sellers should rethink using the term “ceremonial-grade”, which would resolve any misinterpretation or false advertising?
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.
Pssst, have you heard about Free Fridays?
Every Friday, Fran dedicates 2 hours to offer FREE 15-MINUTE LASER-FOCUSED mentoring where you get support on the ONE thing you most want personal mentoring or feedback on anything related to cacao and ceremony.
When we commit and show up with an open heart, there is so much clarity which comes in 15 minutes.
