Cacao Drops vs Blocks: Which Should You Choose?
"Should I buy drops or a block?" is one of the questions we get asked most. The short answer: it's the same cacao either way. Our drops and blocks are both 100% pure ceremonial cacao paste with nothing added. The only difference is the shape, which changes how you measure it, how quickly you can prepare it and what it costs per serve.
At a glance
| Drops | Blocks | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Small moulded discs of cacao paste | A solid slab of cacao paste |
| Sizes | Amaru 2.5g drops, Uturunku 4g drops | Amaru 1kg, Uturunku 500g, Shansho 250g |
| Measuring | Easy: count out a rough measured amount | Shave and measure by the tablespoon (about 10g each) |
| Prep time | Quickest: straight into the cup | A minute or two to shave or chop |
| Melting | Melts quickly | Shavings melt quickly; chunks take longer |
| Cost per serve | Higher | Lower |
| Best for | Busy mornings, travel, beginners, easy portioning | Regular drinkers, value, ceremony and ritual |
Cacao drops
Drops are our ceremonial cacao paste moulded into small discs, so there's no chopping or shaving. Each drop is a rough measured amount, which makes it easy to get a consistent serve every time.
- Amaru drops: about 2.5g each, so 8 to 12 drops makes a 20–30g serve
- Uturunku drops: about 4g each, so 5 to 8 drops makes a 20–30g serve
Pros
- Easy to measure: just count them out
- Quickest to prepare and melt
- Handy for travel, work or keeping in the pantry
- A great starting point if you're new to ceremonial cacao
Cons
- Higher cost per serve than blocks
- Not available for Shansho, which currently comes as a block only
Shop Amaru drops · Shop Uturunku drops
Cacao blocks
Blocks are the traditional way ceremonial cacao has been made and shared. You get more cacao for your money, and preparing it can become part of the ritual itself.
There are three easy ways to use a block:
- Shave it all at once. Shave the whole block down and store the shavings in a sealed container or jar. Then just spoon out what you need each day. As a good approximation, 1 tablespoon of shavings is about 10g, so 2 to 3 tablespoons makes a 20–30g serve.
- Shave as you go. Use a knife or grater to shave off your serve each time you make a cup.
- Hack off a piece. Simply break or cut a chunk off the block when you need it. Chunks take a little longer to melt, so whisking or blending helps.
Pros
- Lower cost per serve
- Available across all three cacaos: Amaru, Uturunku and Shansho
- The shaving or chopping becomes a mindful part of your ritual
- Less packaging per gram
Cons
- Takes a minute or two to prepare
- Chunks need weighing or estimating (shavings are easy: 1 tablespoon is about 10g)
Shop Amaru block · Shop Uturunku block · Shop Shansho block
How to shave a cacao block
Watch our quick video to see how easy it is to shave a block of ceremonial cacao.
Which should I choose?
- Want the quickest, easiest option? Choose drops.
- New to ceremonial cacao? Start with drops for easy measuring.
- Drink cacao most days? Choose a block for better value.
- Love a slow, mindful ritual? Choose a block and shave it fresh.
- Want Shansho? It currently comes as a block only.
Not sure which cacao suits you? Read our guide, Amaru vs Uturunku vs Shansho: Which Ceremonial Cacao Is Right for You?