Sacred Cacao is here!

A while back, Shanae detailed her travels through South America in late 2024. We've recently brought on a new line of products that have got her a bit excited so she wrote this for us to share:

Well, I've got some pretty exciting news about cacao that connects right back to that story - we're now stocking Sacred Taste Drinking Cacao, and honestly, I'm a bit obsessed!

These aren't your average hot chocolate mixes. Sacred Taste creates premium drinking cacao using raw Amazonian cacao sourced directly from the Ashaninka people - one of the oldest Indigenous tribes still living in the Amazon jungle. Just like the farm I visited, this is the real deal: organic, ethically sourced, and sustainability farmed.

What Makes Ceremonial Grade Cacao So Special?

Here's where it gets really interesting - what we stock is ceremonial grade cacao, and there's a huge difference between this and regular drinking chocolate, or even standard cacao powders you might find elsewhere.

Ceremonial grade cacao is made from whole cacao beans that have been minimally processed - they're fermented, dried, and stone-ground into a paste, but that's it. No roasting at high temperatures, no alkalization (that Dutch process that strips away nutrients), and definitely no added sugars, dairy, or artificial anything. This gentle processing preserves all the natural compounds that make cacao so incredible - over 1200 beneficial compounds including theobromine (that natural energy boost), anandamide (the “bliss” molecule), and phenylethylamine (a natural mood lifter!).

Regular cocoa powder? It's been roasted at high heat, often alkalized to reduce bitterness, and processed until most of those amazing compounds are long gone. Ceremonial grade is the difference between the real deal and a cheap imitation - sure, they might taste somewhat similar, but only one is actually nourishing your body!

The "ceremonial" part comes from its traditional use in sacred rituals by Indigenous peoples of Central and South America, who recognised cacao's ability to open the heart, enhance meditation, and create a sense of connection. The ancient Mayans called cacao "Food of the Gods" for good reason!

Why We Think It's Worth Every Dollar

What makes this cacao so special? It's grown wild under the first canopy of the Amazon rainforest using regenerative agroforestry - which means it's actually helping to heal the land while it grows. Plus, for every purchase, Sacred Taste protects one acre of Indigenous Amazon lands through their partnership with Rainforest Trust, which we think is incredible. The health benefits are pretty amazing too - packed with antioxidants, magnesium, iron, calcium and zinc.

Now, I'll be upfront with you - like everything cacao-related these days, this isn't the cheapest option on the shelf. As I mentioned in my newsletter story, the cacao world has been hit hard with four consecutive crop failures in Africa, which has pushed prices up across the globe. But here's the thing - when you're getting genuine, ethically-sourced Amazonian ceremonial grade cacao that's supporting Indigenous communities and protecting rainforest land, you're paying for more than just a hot chocolate powder. Plus, a little goes a long way with this stuff - it's seriously rich, so it’ll last you a good while!

How to Prepare Your Sacred Cacao

Just mix with hot water or your favourite milk, and you've got yourself an indulgent drink that's actually doing your body good. For the full ceremonial experience, we also stock copper whisks and spoons - the traditional way to prepare and serve cacao.

We've got Sacred Taste's full range of ceremonial grade blends in-store:

EARTH (Original) - Pure ceremonial cacao powder

FIRE (Chilli Cacao) - Spiced with chilli for warmth and activation

VITALITY (Matcha Mint Cacao) - Blended with matcha and mint for focus and clarity

LOVE (Rose Cacao) - Infused with rose for heart-opening and self-love practices

CEREMONY - The least processed, with chunks of cacao mass rather than a fine powder. This is for deeper meditation and rituals.

I'm always up for a good cacao conversation, especially after my Costa Rica adventure turned me into a bit of a cacao nerd , so feel free to come in and have a chat. And if you're curious but not sure which flavour to try first, we might be able to sort out some samples if you're keen - because sometimes you just need to taste the magic for yourself!