What is Ceremonial Cacao?

Dear Cacao Lover,

if you landed in this page it's because you are curious to know more about this apparently "new" way of drinking Cacao ritually. Whether you are at Frizzant ordering a cup at the bar or at home preparing your own, this information might help you understand a bit more why Ceremonial Cacao is becoming a healthy choice to accompany your daily life as well as be a smart substitute for coffee.

You are in the right place! 

What's Ceremonial Grade Cacao?

The botanical name given to the cacao tree is Theobroma Cacao, which in Greek, literally means: Food of the Gods.

Ceremonial grade Cacao it is not the same as what we know as chocolate. It consists of the cacao beans ground up in a cold press mill after being fermented in their own pulp and lightly roasted. The beans then turn into a paste that solidifies at room temperature. Ceremonial grade cacao does not contain any added substance nor sweeteners, has been minimally manipulated and it supports the ethics of an organic product, 100% pure, beyond fair trade where the farmers of the cacaotales receive a dignified and fair wage and can live the life that they deserve.

How to drink it?

If to all of the above you add a clear vision and intention, a relaxed environment and a focused direction it becomes a whole different experience that has little to do with drinking hot chocolate from processed and refined powder, mixed with sugar and other fats.

Nothing added. Nothing taken

The reason why Ceremonial Cacao is served as a pure drink mixed only with water and some spices is to preserve the natural taste, the purity of the cacao fat itself, without adding any other form of lipids that can change the flavour and consistency of this already so complete food. We encourage you to avoid mixing it with any type of milk (animal nor vegetable) and invite yourself to engage with this plant in its purest form, preserving all its bitter-sweet flavours, the hidden tastes and the earthiness of its seeds. 

Drinking a cup of Ceremonial Cacao on your own is an opportunity to get in touch with deeper subtler parts of yourself, creating a space for self-inquiry and transformation. Cacao brings us a step closer back to nature, where we all come from.

The Science behind:

Its undeniable nutritional properties have also convinced Western medicine that consuming Cacao is highly recommended as a supplement for vibrant health.

It contains minerals such as:
magnesium
zinc
copper
iron
chromium
calcium
manganese

...and over 300 compounds that positively affect our cardiovascular, reproductive, digestive and nervous systems:

  • Flavonoid antioxidants, key in preventing heart disease
  • Ignites receptors of Serotonin and Dopamine, which can help prevent or treat depression
  • Balance hormones, ideal for PMS or menopausal syndromes
  • Anti-inflammatory properties that reduce pain and create strong bones
  • Polyphenols, which help fight against cholesterol, blood clots, boost the immune system and create sun screen protection
  • Adaptogens, which help skin repair, major organ function, energy levels and balancing stress hormones 

    Aside from these obvious chemical benefits, we find a couple of very interesting neurotransmitters in Cacao that will help us understand why “chocolate” is such an appreciated substance all over the world:

    • Phenethylamine – the neurotransmitter that the body produces naturally when we fall in Love, increasing physical and emotional energy and enhancing Dopamine release
    • Anandamide – also known as the “Bliss Molecule”, it creates a feeling of joy and wellbeing, increases neurogenesis (nerve formation), and has positive effects on everything from stress levels to memory

    Recommendations:

    - Avoid eating before having your cup, the emptier you are the more you will feel the subtlety of Cacao

    - For daily use add about 20-25g of Cacao to hot water and dissolve