Amaru vs Uturunku vs Shansho: Which Ceremonial Cacao Is Right for You?
We now offer three ceremonial cacaos, and each one suits a different moment. Amaru, Uturunku and our new Shansho all come from Peru and all are 100% pure ancestral organic cacao paste, but they differ in their genetic variety, location of sourcing, how they're processed, their biochemistry and what they're best for. This guide helps you pick the right one in under a minute.
At a glance
In short: Amaru lifts you up and out, Uturunku draws you in, and Shansho sharpens your focus.
| Amaru (Snake) | Uturunku (Jaguar) | Shansho | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Uplifting, energising | Calming, grounding | Expansive, uplifting clarity |
| Direction | Outward: movement and release | Inward: presence and reflection | Upward: clarity and expansion |
| Best for | Breath work, dance, exercise, creative expression, emotional release | Meditation, journaling, sound journeys, mindfulness, nature walks and integration | Focus, study, inspiration, vision work, connected breath work, neuroplastic change, altered states |
| Flavour | Sweet, fruity, bright | Earthy, nutty, woody | Earthy, floral, fruity, clean |
| Processing | Traditionally fermented | Traditionally fermented, low stimulant | Raw, unfermented |
| Genetic variety | Criollo blend | Marañón derivative blend | Purus pure ancestral |
| Presentation | Drops (2.5g each) and blocks (1kg) | Drops (4g each) and blocks (500g) | Blocks (250g) |
| Grown in | Tocache, Peru (Asháninka) | Tarapoto, Peru (Chazuta) | Ucayali, Peru (Shipibo-Konibo) |
| Andean realm | Uku Pacha, the inner realm of ancestors and renewal | Kay Pacha, the here and now | Hanan Pacha, the celestial realm |
| Ancestral animal | Serpent | Jaguar | Shansho (Xanxo) bird |
Amaru (Snake): uplifting and energising
Amaru is our outward-moving, "externalising" cacao. It gives you energy, joy and a heart-opening lift that you want to move with. It's traditionally fermented using ancestral methods to balance flavour with its medicinal profile, and is especially high in theobromine, polyphenols and AEAs (based on analysis with the University of Otago). It's sourced from Tocache, in the Asháninka region of Peru.
- Genetic variety: Criollo
- How it feels: uplifting bliss, vitality, clarity and joy
- Flavour: sweet and fruity, with some acidity and bitterness
- Best for: breath work, dance, exercise, creative expression, emotional release, and daily energy and clarity
- Serve: 20–30g per person
Uturunku (Jaguar): calming and inward
Uturunku is our inward-moving cacao. It's calming and grounding, and helps you feel present and connected to yourself. This traditionally fermented wild ancestral cacao has less than half the theobromine of conventional cacao, which makes it the gentlest of the three and a good choice if you're sensitive to stimulants. It's rich in phenylethylamine (PEA), tryptophan and tryptamine instead, supporting mood and mental health through dopamine and serotonin. It's grown in Tarapoto, Peru, with the Chazuta community.
- Genetic variety: Marañón derivative blend
- How it feels: grounded, embodied, deeply satisfied, calm
- Flavour: earthy, nutty, fruity
- Best for: meditation, journaling, sound journeys, mindfulness, nature walks and integration, and daily mood and inner balance
- Serve: 20–30g per person
Shansho: our new raw cacao for focus
Shansho is our newest cacao, and the only one of the three that is completely unfermented. Most cacao is fermented to develop chocolate flavour. Skipping that step and traditionally washing the beans keeps more of the natural compounds intact: independent analysis by the University of Otago found around five times the polyphenols of traditional fermented cacao (3,580mg per 100g). In essence this is no longer cacao for chocolate it is biochemistry for your brain.
The result is a smooth, uplifting energy with clear focus and a light, expansive feeling. It's grown in Ucayali, Peru, within Shipibo-Konibo territory, and the batches are limited to 400 boxes each.
- Genetic variety: Purus
- How it feels: clear, luminous and uplifting, with a subtle sense of euphoria
- Flavour: deep, earthy, floral and clean; no sugar needed
- Best for: focus, study, inspiration, vision work, connected breath work, neuroplastic change and altered states
- Serve: 20g for daily focus, 30g for ceremony. Melt in water or plant milk at about 70°C; don't boil
Which one should I choose?
- Want energy to move, dance or release? Choose Amaru.
- Want to slow down, meditate or turn inward? Choose Uturunku.
- Want clear focus, inspiration or a practice that feels expansive? Choose Shansho.
- Want an energy kick or a coffee substitute? Choose Amaru.
- Want to improve your mood? Choose Uturunku.
- Want support for stress and wellbeing? Choose Shansho.
- Sensitive to stimulation? Start with Uturunku.
- Can't decide? Try the Cacao Trilogy, with one block of each, and find your favourite.
All three are 100% pure organic single-origin ancestral cacao, cadmium tested, with nothing added. Still unsure? Contact us and tell us what you're looking for, and we'll help you choose.
Try all three: the Cacao Trilogy
One Shansho block (250g), one Uturunku block (500g) and one Amaru block (1kg). A complete journey through all three realms, so you can find the cacao that suits each moment.