in a nutshell

A cacao ceremony is the intentional drinking of pure, minimally processed cacao…

…to bring presence, grounding and clarity.

  • Intentional

    A planned, structured time of day, where a person or people drink cacao with a specific intention in mind, or simply to find more presence.

  • Pure

    Ceremonial-grade cacao is made of the whole bean, originates from its native country and has undergone minimal processing.

  • Safe

    To experience the full effects of a cacao ceremony, a safe space and, where appropriate, a trained facilitator are key.

What does a cacao ceremony look like?

A cacao ceremony (or circle) requires 2 things:

  • Ceremonial-grade cacao

  • Participants

If doing this alone at home, the ceremony can be just you drinking a cup of cacao.

Music, candles and essential oils are some ways in which you can create a more intentional, calm space, but your mindset and comfort are the most important here.

When ceremonies are held in groups, they are often lead by facilitators - versed in holding and creating safe spaces, and using cacao (sometimes called ‘plant medicine’ in these settings). Participants may sit in a circle, and the facilitator may lead conversations of sharing, connecting and enjoying the cacao’s powers. There may be meditation involved, altars and any other tools to bring more respect and presence to the space.

Anything is a ceremony as long cacao is there and, the individuals are open to and excited by its benefits.

The practice is an ancient, sacred ritual. The earliest traces point to ancient Native Mesoamerican cultures (specifically, Mayan and Aztec).

How is it different to chocolate?

Chocolate and hot chocolate are different to cacao ceremonies due to 2 main reasons: the ingredients and the mindset behind the activity.

Store-bought chocolate is made using cocoa not cacao. Cocoa is roasted - and often highly processed - cacao beans. This means that the medicinal benefits of the original bean are lost, and the purity is reduced.

In addition, hot chocolate is a less mindful activity than ceremonial drinking. There is, of course, nothing wrong with drinking hot chocolate as you go about your day. But a cacao ceremony emphasises a respect for cacao as a healing medicine and as a tool for presence and inner transformation. After that intention, the ceremony (or circle) takes you where you need to, or want to, go.

What are the benefits?

Ceremonial-grade, minimally processed cacao has many benefits to our mind, body and soul. It is packed with anti-oxidants, minerals (such as magnesium and iron), fibre, endorphins and serotonin, flavonoids and more. Cacao is also said to be a heart-opening medicine, helping us to shift out of our heads into the body and heart, to be more open and to find more inner peace.

Here are some of the main benefits of cacao:

  • Mental clarity and focus

  • Calmer state of being

  • Enhanced creativity

  • More openness to our deeper selves

  • Increased energy

  • Release of blocks and trapped emotions

The benefits of cacao have been well-studied in scientific literature to show how this bean can transform our health. You can read more here.

It is important to note that no cacao is completely unprocessed but ceremonial grade cacao is minimally processed. Completely unprocessed cacao would be undrinkable. Ceremonial grade cacao is fermented (which actually increase the antioxidants) and slightly roasted.

How do you prepare cacao?

A simple recipe is to mix the following:

  • 2tbsp (20g) ceremonial-grade cacao

  • 200-250ml spring or filtered hot water

  • 1tsp sweetener (e.g. coconut sugar, maple syrup)

  • Herbs and spices (e.g. dash of cayenne pepper, cinnamon, reishi)

Blend or mix with a whisk, until the cacao is creamy and you see bubbles/ foam form.

For a stronger mixture, you can use 25-40g cacao. I recommend only using this much cacao in a supported space if you are new to cacao.

At home ceremony

All of my ceremonies follow these steps:

  1. Prepare the space and cacao

    1. Create a safe, sacred space - e.g. light a candle, dim the lights, play soothing music, cleanse the room with sage

    2. Prepare the cacao

    3. P.S.: I sage participants, too!

  2. Open your ceremony

    1. Express gratitude - to cacao, yourself and anyone else, as it feels right

    2. Smell the cacao, letting it infuse into your lungs

    3. If you wish, set an intention - e.g. ‘I intend to release any emotional blocks and open my heart to its creative possibilities.’

    4. Invite the medicine into your body and commence drinking

    5. Note: I open 1:1 or group ceremonies with a short breathwork and/ or meditation. This helps everyone to centre and settle into the space.

  3. During the ceremony, you could do any of the following to gain more of the benefits of cacao:

    1. Share out loud what’s on your heart and any blocks you are working through

    2. Journal

    3. Do a creative activity like painting

    4. Use pre-prepared questions to reflect on (such as: What do you wish to invite in? What do you wish to release? What blocks can you feel clearing as you drink the cacao? Is something new or surprising coming up as you settle into the ceremony?)

    5. Meditate

  4. Closing the ceremony

    1. Reflect on the ceremony as you enjoy the last sips of cacao

    2. Express gratitude

    3. Do a short quiet meditation to integrate the effects of the ceremony

    4. Note: I sometimes do a short ‘energy protection’ meditation, as ceremonies can make us more sensitive to others’ energies and the outside world. This means we can feel things more intensely and be less calm in environments we previously didn’t find triggering.

New to cacao ceremonies?

Cacao ceremonies are one of the safest and most gentle ways to heal through plant medicine, and to connect with yourself and with others. If you’re interested in learning more or experiencing a 1:1 or group ceremony, you can book here.

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