Learn About Cacao

Mental health disorders are New Zealand’s third leading cause of health loss with conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit disorders (ADD) affecting a large portion of people1-4. One in six people or 16.6% of the population (650,000 adults) will experience a common mental disorder at some time in their lives that will drastically impact on the health and...

There are many factors that will affect the colour, flavour, and contents of the cacao beans. These include the variety of cacao tree, the location of the tree, soil conditions, and the fermentation process. Fermentation is one of the most important post-harvest processes for cacao beans as this is when the compounds responsible for the flavour of cacao and its brown colour are able...

You open your box of Cacao and instead of the silky brown chocolate-y goodness you expect, it looks a little well mouldy? gone off? WAIT. Before you panic that a) you won’t be able to make your morning Cacao (and trust us, you don’t want to see us without our morning Cacao) or b) that’s a hundred bucks down the drain - let us...

We have an updated version of this article here. Cacao is a plant medicine from Peru that is considered sacred by many. Ceremonial cacao in Australia has become incredibly popular in recent years, with many people enjoying the benefits of what this delicious hot drink has to offer. But despite its popularity, many people still don’t fully comprehend the ‘ceremonial’ aspect of cacao. Essentially...

A GUIDE TO CACAO CONTRAINDICATIONS Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is an evergreen tree whose fully fermented fruit seeds, known as “cacao beans,” are the main ingredient in Cacao Nibs, Cacao Paste, Cacao Butter, and Chocolate. Cacao contains many bioactive compounds and essential minerals that work together to support immune function, cardiovascular health, enhance cognitive function, elevate mood, and improve mental health, oxidative stress, metabolic syndrome, inflammatory conditions, fatigue, skin...

A Cacao ceremony is a ritual in which the plant medicine of Cacao is used with intentions of healing, celebration, mourning, connection, offerings, guidance, changing perceptions or states of consciousness and spiritual practice. It is based on indigenous practices from South and Central America and concepts of Andean/Amazonian cosmovision; that describe the way of nature and living in balance with the natural world.  A...

Molinillos, also known as Cacao whisks, are an essential tool in traditional Cacao preparation. These intricately crafted wooden whisks can emulsify the fat of Cacao and create creamy elixirs that awaken the spirit of Cacao. The molinillo invokes the air element during a Cacao ceremony, known as "tatya wayra." It is the masculine component that balances the feminine energy of Cacao and brings it...

For many, the journey of discovery that ceremonial cacao in NZ represents is one of profound growth, both internally and externally. There is a sense of awakening and appreciation that is unrivalled. But many times, in an effort to be both respectful and mindful, some of our clients feel uncertain about when to use their ceremonial cacao. 

The origins and history of cacao Cacao (Theobroma cacao) that we all know today as the key ingredient in chocolate began it's domestication some 7500 years ago in the northern region of the Peruvian Amazon before spreading through the region of Central America. In Peru it was first used by the Chinchipe tribes before later becoming part also of the Chavin culture. In Mesoamerica...