Paste vs Powder
Ceremonial Cacao Paste vs. Cacao Powder: Key Differences and Uses
At Seleno Health, we’re passionate about sharing the sacred qualities of cacao, sourced directly from indigenous farmers in Peru. Our ceremonial cacao paste and cacao powder are crafted with care, but they differ significantly in production, nutrition, uses, and benefits. Here’s a concise guide to understanding these two products and how to incorporate them into your life.
Production Process
Ceremonial Cacao Paste: Our ceremonial cacao paste is made from 100% pure, organic Criollo cacao beans, hand-selected, naturally fermented, sun-dried, and hand-peeled. The beans are milled into a creamy paste, retaining all their natural fats (cacao butter) with nothing added or removed. This minimal processing preserves the beans’ full flavour, nutrients, and energetic qualities, honouring the traditional methods of indigenous communities. The paste is often formed into blocks or drops, perfect for ceremonial use or for a daily health enhancing elixir.
Cacao Powder: Our cacao powder is produced by milling fermented, sun-dried cacao beans and cold-pressing them to separate the cacao butter from the cacao mass. The remaining mass is finely ground into a powder. This process removes most of the fat content, creating a lighter, more processed product that can be more versatile but with different therapeutic benefits to the full bean paste.
Nutritional Profile
Ceremonial Cacao Paste: As a whole food, our ceremonial cacao paste contains the full spectrum of the cacao bean’s nutrients, including cacao butter, which enhances the bioavailability of bioactive compounds like theobromine, phenylethylamine, and acetyl-ethanolamines (plant cannabinoids). It’s rich in antioxidants (polyphenols), magnesium, iron, and mood-enhancing compounds, making it a potent plant medicine. Biochemical analysis shows our paste has significantly higher levels of medicinal components compared to standard cacao products, amplifying its therapeutic effects. It has a focus not just of supporting energy and wellbeing but also enhancing mood and mental health.
Cacao Powder: Our cacao powder retains many of the same nutrients, including antioxidants, magnesium, and polyphenols, but the removal of cacao butter reduces its fat content and some fat-soluble compounds. It’s higher in fibre and slightly more concentrated in certain minerals due to the reduced fat, but it lacks the full synergy of nutrients found in the paste, which can impact the absorption of its bioactive compounds. It is a more potent antioxidant that can support energy and wellbeing, reduce inflammation and stress but it has less potency on mood and mental health than the full bean paste.
Uses and Benefits
Ceremonial Cacao Paste: This is the heart of cacao ceremonies, revered for its heart-opening, mood-enhancing, and spiritually uplifting properties. The paste’s rich, creamy texture and intense flavour make it ideal for preparing a therapeutic elixir by mixing with hot water, often frothed with a traditional molinillo whisk. It fosters emotional connection, mindfulness, and intention-setting, supporting meditation, yoga, or communal rituals. Its high fat content delivers sustained energy, bliss, and focus without the crash of caffeine. Use 15-20g for daily rituals or 30-40g for deeper ceremonial experiences.
Cacao Powder: Our cacao powder is a versatile superfood perfect for culinary applications and health benefits. Its fine texture makes it easy to blend into smoothies, raw desserts, or baked goods, adding a rich chocolatey flavour. It’s great for healthy recipes like vegan chocolate treats or energy balls, offering antioxidants and minerals to support heart health, reduce inflammation, and boost mood. Use it in smaller amounts (1-2 tbsp) for everyday nutrition, but note it’s less potent as a plant medicine due to the absence of cacao butter.
Why and How to Use Each
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Choose Ceremonial Cacao Paste when you seek a profound, heart-centered experience. Prepare it as a warm or hot drink (essential to melt the fat) for morning rituals, meditation, or cacao ceremonies to connect with yourself, others, or the Amazonian spirit. Its full-fat composition enhances nutrient absorption and delivers a velvety texture, making it a sacred tool for spiritual and emotional growth.
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Choose Cacao Powder for convenient, everyday nutrition. Drink it or eat it hot or cold. Add it to smoothies, oatmeal, or baking recipes for a nutrient boost without the richness of paste. It’s ideal for those watching fat intake or seeking a lighter, versatile ingredient for healthy cooking. Wanting an energy boost or a way to enhance vitality and reduce stress.
Conclusion
Whether you’re drawn to the transformative power of our ceremonial cacao paste or the culinary and therapeutic versatility of our cacao powder, both products offer unique ways to enjoy cacao’s health benefits. At Seleno Health, we ensure our cacao is ethically sourced, organic, and crafted with reverence for its indigenous roots. Explore our collection to find the perfect cacao for your wellness journey, and let this sacred plant medicine nourish your body and soul.