In our modern world, the first thing that comes to our mind when we hear “cacao” is chocolate, but this fruit has many more uses and benefits. Once opened, it’s seeds are surrounded in a white fuzzy covering that protects the bean and is edible, tastes very sweet and delicious. Once the covering has been removed, the beans, which are dark in color, are used to create liquor, paste, butter and powder. Yes, all from one single fruit!

Before we jump into the many uses of cacao as an ingredient in food, rituals and beauty products, let’s go back in time.

In history:

Historically, cacao has been considered a sacred fruit, so much so that for hundreds of years it was used as the main currency of Mayans and Aztecs, a means to pay taxes, commercial duties, and trade for luxury objects such as obsidian and jade. Perhaps most important is the fact that the indigenous cultures of Central America—the birthplace of the Theobroma cacao tree that bears the beans we consume today as food or beverage—gave it such important value because of its spiritual and heart-opening characteristics. 

There are many stories about how the cacao fruit was gifted to humans by Gods.
In Mexico, the Olmeca civilization was the first to domesticate and ritualize it. As early as 1,500 A.C. cacao has been traditionally used for ceremonial reasons as offerings during important days as a way to express gratitude towards the source of creation. The celebrations were usually held by the fire where other sacred foods—including corn and beans—were offered to the gods (the source for its scientific name, theobroma, means Food of the Gods).

Nope, cacao is not the same as chocolate bars.

Even though every type of chocolate bar, candy or drink uses cacao as an ingredient, these are not synonyms. Cacao is the raw, unprocessed fruit.
Now, the beans from this fruit can be used raw (and sun-dried) or roasted to make cacao liquor, butter, paste or powder. The process involves crushing the beans to extract the liquid (liquor) that immediately solidifies at room temperature, transforming itself into a paste made of 40-50% natural fat. To create butter, this fat is separated from the cacao paste. The cacao paste, or the beans, is used as an ingredient in the ceremonial cacao drink and ritual. And yes, the cacao butter is used as an ingredient in natural beauty products!

For those looking to create their own morning ritual at home, or want to drink cacao as an alternative to coffee, here are a few things you should look out for:

Cacao vs Cocoa:

When it comes to buying powders to make a cacao drink at home, knowing the difference between these two is crucial.
-Cacao powder: made from raw, unprocessed, beans. It carries much more potency and nutrients.
-Cocoa powder: made from roasted cacao beans. It is processed and still carries cacao’s many nutrients but not as potent as the raw powder. Also, watch out for added ingredients like sugars, preservatives and even milk powder. Always read the ingredient list and look for products made from 100% cacao fruit only.

Medicinal and spiritual benefits:

Cacao is not only known for its vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, copper, phosphorus, Vitamin A, C, D, E, B and antioxidants, but has also been studied to have medicinal benefits that fortify blood flow and boos brain function.
In spirituality, Cacao has been used in ancestral ceremonies for hundreds of years to guide participants to create a deeper connection with nature, and with themselves. It is the fruit of love- one that is known for it’s heart-expanding properties.

As you may have seen on our platforms, Valeria chose to celebrate her 35th solar return with a profound cacao ceremony. Through a meaningful act of holding space sitting in a close circle, surrounding all type of offerings (flowers, fruits, copal, cacao beans, the cacao drink) our friends and loved ones had the opportunity to allow cacao to heal us: it contains more than 300 molecules that may improve our well-being, mainly theobromine, which increases the level of serotonin and dopamine in the body. Besides being a powerful medicine that’s been used to treat asthma, impotence, and even malaria, we could all notice how it acts on the heart, purifying it from any emotional pain, connecting us back to our roots so we can focus on living more gently and in tune with nature.

We are so grateful to this ritual, we included it as an essential part of our Slow Living Retreat to honor the land, people, and traditions that came before us, recognizing their practices and prevent them from disappearing in a world where screens capture all our time and attention.

Together with a local healer, we will host a Cacao Ceremony where we will gather in a circle with offerings, flowers and a ceremonial fire to partake in the gratitude-inducing power of this sacred plant (which will be mixed with other medicinal ingredients such as cardamom and cloves).

If you are ready to discover the magic of ancestral wisdom and rituals, then click here to read more about our upcoming retreat! Use discount code CONSCIOUS2023 for 10% off any package.
February 12-17, 2023 in Tepoztlán, Mexico.

Sources of information:

Medicinal Benefits
Cacao in History