What You Will Need

• Ceremonial-Grade Cacao, in block or discs

• High Quality Stainless Steel Pot

• Kettle (stove top or electric)

• Wooden Spoons

• Wooden Cutting Board (if you have a block of cacao)

• Sharp Knife (if you have a block of cacao)

• Ladle (optional)

• Cheese Grater (optional)

• Scale (optional)

• Spices of Your Choice (optional)

• Organic Cane Sugar, Honey or Sweetener of Your Choice (optional)

• Vegetal Milk (optional)

Step 1: Boil Your Water

Use a kettle, stove top or electric, to boil the amount of water you need. Add a cup of water, or around 250ml, per serving, to your kettle. Bring your water to boiling point, and let it rest for a few minutes.

Step 2: Measure Your Cacao

Choose the dose of ceremonial cacao that you want to experience. For creativity or meditation, we recommend using around 20g (6-8 discs) per serving. For an intense experience or a deep shamanic journey, we suggest using around 40g (13-15 discs). If you have a block of cacao, use the knife and cutting board to shave your block in small pieces. You can also use a cheese grater. A full tablespoon of shaved cacao is usually around 20g. If you have a scale, measure the dose of your choice. If your ceremonial cacao comes in discs, simply pick the appropriate dose.

Step 3: Melt Your Cacao

Turn on your burner at low temperature. Place your discs, or your shaved cacao, in your stainless steel pot. Gently stir the cacao using a wooden spoon, until it becomes a fondue. Add some of your previously boiled water, so it covers the bottom of the pot, approximately 1 centimeter thick, or half an inch. Continue to stir, so that your cacao merges with the water. Then, slowly add the rest of your water.

Step 4: Bless Your Cacao

Once all of your water has beed added to the pot, continue to gently stir with your wooden spoon. If you live in the Northern hemisphere, you can choose to stir counterclockwise, if you want to harmonize with the Coriolis force caused by the Earth's rotation, and vice versa if you are in the South. At this point, you can take a moment to bless and honor your cacao. It could be a gratitude prayer for the tree itself, for the people working on the land, and for the Spirit of Cacao. A beautiful song can be offered to give a vibration and then receive it when you drink the cacao. You can also put an intention, asking for assistance on your path of transformation, and for all human beings who need help and support.

Step 5: Finish Cooking Your Cacao

You can put a lid and let your cacao cook until a cream starts to form. Be very present and connected, and turn off the stove a soon as you notice the first bubbles coming to the surface. IMPORTANT: Do not let your cacao boil, as it would reduce the benefits and medicinal properties.

Step 6: Serve & Add Condiments

To serve your ceremonial cacao, use a ladle, or simply pour directly from the pot to your mug. If you wish to add condiments — spices, sweetener, or vegetal milk — we recommend that you make them optional for your participants. If it’s for personal use, add the condiments into your empty cup, before adding your cacao.

Examples of spices you can use: ginger; mint; rose; clove; cinnamon; cayenne.

Examples of sweeteners: raw organic cane sugar; coconut sugar; maple syrup; vanilla; honey; stevia.

Examples of vegan milk: almond; hazelnut; cashew; coconut; soya (we recommend that you warm up your milk separately, then add it to your mug).

For Personal Use

Create a clear sacred space where you feel at home, and uplifted in spirit. Choose a mug that emanates inspiration. A ceramic mug made of earth allows you to be connected to earth’s element. Serve yourself cacao with soft music in the space, or offer song through voice or instruments. Connect with your physical body, your heart, and listen to what comes. Journaling, painting, resting, or any creative endeavor can be supported by ceremonial cacao. Indoor or outdoor, with a ritual or a meditation, ceremonial cacao will help you remember the wisdom of your heart. It can also calm, stimulate, or move energy. For your relationships, with a friend, family member, or work colleague, ceremonial cacao will harmonize and support heart connection.

For Ceremonies

Create a safe comfortable space where people can be receptive, and authentic. Take a moment to honor the medicine, and those cultivating the land. Set healthy boundaries around devices or others potential distractions, and be clear around time. When serving someone else, or a group, please find a strategy to keep the cacao hot, so the person receives the optimal cup of ceremonial cacao. Decide and communicate what dose you will offer to your guests. Inform them about the origin of your cacao, and its benefits. Among the many elements that can make up your ceremony, you can include a guided meditation, a period of free movement, and a circle of expression and sharing. If you would like to learn more about how to create and lead a cacao ceremony, read more about our online training.

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