What is Ceremonial Cacao?
In recent years, ceremonial cacao has been making its way into yoga studios, healing circles, and conscious kitchens around the world.
But what exactly is ceremonial cacao, and why are so many people drawn to it…not just as a drink, but as a daily ritual and spiritual ally?
Cacao entered my life during a time of deep transformation. After sitting with other plant medicines, I found myself seeking something to support the integration process, a way to continue connecting with my heart, my body, and my truth in everyday life.
That’s when I met cacao. Since then, she’s become a gentle yet powerful guide…helping me slow down, drop in, and truly listen.
Today, I drink ceremonial cacao almost daily. It supports my nervous system, helps me stay grounded and present, and brings a sacredness to the simple act of nourishment.
In this blog, we’ll explore the world of ceremonial cacao together, from its ancient roots and health benefits to its spiritual significance and how you can begin to work with it intentionally in your own life.
Whether you're cacao-curious or feeling the call to deepen your connection, you’re in the right place.
“A Mayan legend tells us that whenever there is an imbalance between humans and nature, cacao comes from the rainforest to open people’s hearts and return the planet to a state of harmony. Some shamans, therefore, consider cacao the 'food for the shift.' It represents the new order of love and peace, which is being cultivated right now.”
-Keith Wilson, The Cacao ShamanIntroduction to Ceremonial Cacao
Brief History and Cultural Significance
Ceremonial cacao carries a lineage that stretches back thousands of years.
Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, particularly the Mayans and Aztecs, honoured cacao as a sacred plant spirit. It was known as “the food of the gods,” and used in ritual, prayer, community gatherings, and rites of passage.
Cacao wasn’t just consumed for pleasure; it was and still is a medicine for the heart, the body, and the spirit.
These cultures understood cacao as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, a plant that could open the heart and connect people more deeply to themselves, each other, and the divine.
Today, many of us are remembering and reclaiming these ancient traditions, bringing cacao back into our lives as a ceremonial ally for healing, presence, and connection.
Ceremonial Cacao vs. Regular Cacao
While ceremonial and regular cacao technically come from the same plant, how they’re prepared and the intention behind them makes a world of difference.
Most conventional cacao or chocolate products are highly processed, often roasted at high temperatures, stripped of beneficial compounds, and blended with sugars, dairy, and fillers.
Ceremonial cacao, on the other hand, is lovingly and intentionally prepared. The beans are often sun-dried, lightly fermented, and stone-ground into a pure paste, with nothing added and nothing taken away.
This minimal processing helps preserve cacao’s natural antioxidants, minerals like magnesium and iron, mood-boosting compounds like theobromine, and its deeper energetic essence. It’s cacao in its most whole, potent, and heart-opening form—made not just for consumption, but for communion.
Health Benefits of Ceremonial Cacao
Physical Nourishment
Ceremonial cacao isn’t just soul medicine… it’s body medicine, too.
This potent plant is rich in essential minerals like magnesium, iron, calcium, and zinc that many of us are lacking due to modern soil depletion, making it a deeply nourishing partner for your daily rituals.
Magnesium, for example, plays a vital role in muscle relaxation, nerve function, heart health, and hormonal balance. It also supports the nervous system, helping to regulate stress and promote a calmer, more grounded state.
One of cacao’s standout qualities is its high antioxidant content, which helps reduce inflammation and protect the body from oxidative stress, a key contributor to premature aging and chronic disease.
And because ceremonial cacao is minimally processed, all of these beneficial compounds remain intact, making it one of the most bioavailable and healing forms of cacao you can consume.
Mental and Emotional Well-Being
Ceremonial cacao has a way of softening the edges of the day. It supports mental clarity, emotional presence, and even creativity.
One of the key compounds in cacao is theobromine, a gentle stimulant that increases circulation and offers sustained energy without the crash or anxiety that can come with coffee. Think of it as a heart-centred energy boost.
Cacao also naturally boosts the production of feel-good neurotransmitters like serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, which can help lift the mood, ease emotional tension, and cultivate a deeper sense of joy and connection. It’s no wonder many people describe cacao as a “hug in a cup.”
In my personal experience, cacao has supported me through emotional integration, self-reflection, and grounding practices, especially during times of transition or healing. It brings me into my body, helps me feel safe and supported, and opens the space for deeper inner listening.
The Spiritual Connection
Cacao as a Sacred Guide
Ceremonial cacao is more than a superfood, it’s a sacred plant teacher. In many cultures, it’s considered a gentle yet powerful heart medicine that helps us reconnect to our emotional body, inner wisdom, and spiritual truth.
In modern ceremonies, cacao is often used to deepen meditation, enhance creativity, support emotional release, and create a sense of openness in both solo and group settings.
It holds a unique ability to bring you into your heart space, not by force, but through softness, safety, and presence. That’s why it’s often referred to as a “heart opener.”
I’ve found cacao supports me in slowing down, tuning in, and accessing clarity in moments when my mind is busy or my energy is scattered. It's a reminder to lead with love…and listen deeply.
The Power of Intention
One of the most important aspects of working with ceremonial cacao is intention setting. Before drinking, we’re invited to pause and tune in.
What are we calling in? What are we ready to release? What would we like to open to?
This simple, sacred act of reflecting before sipping helps create energetic alignment. It turns the cacao from a warm cup of chocolate into a meaningful moment of connection with self, spirit, and the present moment.
Whether you're sitting in a full ceremony or just creating a quiet ritual at home, this mindful approach amplifies the cacao’s effects.
When combined with intention, cacao becomes more than a drink, it becomes a ceremony.
How to Prepare and Enjoy Ceremonial Cacao
Traditional Preparation Methods
Traditionally, ceremonial cacao is prepared with deep intention and care.
The process begins by gently melting the cacao paste with hot (but not boiling!) water to preserve its healing compounds.
Spices like cinnamon, cayenne, or chili are often added, not only for flavor, but to enhance circulation and activate the cacao's energetics. The mixture is stirred until smooth and velvety.
In many cultures, preparing cacao is just as sacred as drinking it. It’s a moment to slow down, tune in, and begin connecting with the heart-opening spirit of the plant before the first sip is even taken.
Modern Rituals & Recipes
While the traditional method is always beautiful, modern cacao rituals have evolved to include a variety of nourishing additions.
Many people blend ceremonial cacao with plant-based milks for creaminess, natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, and superfoods such as maca, reishi, ashwagandha, or turmeric for added support.
There’s no one way to prepare cacao, the key is to make it yours. Whether you’re keeping it simple or creating a decadent elixir, the most important ingredient is intention.
☕ Curious how I prepare mine?
[Check out this video] to watch how I make my favorite daily cup, from cacao block to heart medicine.
Participating in Cacao Ceremonial
Joining a Cacao Ceremony
Cacao ceremonies are becoming increasingly popular as more people seek heart-centred connection, spiritual grounding, and inner healing.
These gatherings are often held in yoga studios, wellness spaces, or nature-based settings, and offer a beautiful opportunity to sit in community, open the heart, and share intention with others.
If you're feeling called to experience the magic of cacao in a guided setting, I offer in-person group ceremonies in Vancouver, as well as private one-on-one sessions (either in-person or virtually).
Whether you're new to cacao or deepening your practice, there's a space for you.
👉 [Learn more about my upcoming ceremonies here]
Creating Your Own Cacao Ritual at Home
Can’t make it to a group ceremony? You can still experience the beauty of cacao right from the comfort of your own home.
Here’s how to create a simple but meaningful cacao ritual:
Choose a quiet, cozy space where you won’t be interrupted
Light a candle, burn incense, or play soft music to set the tone
Bring in any objects that feel sacred to you: crystals, oracle cards, journal, flowers
As you prepare your cacao, tune into your heart and set an intention
Sip slowly, with presence, allowing the cacao to guide you inward
You may be journaling, meditating, dancing, or simply sitting in stillness, wherever you are ceremonial cacao invites you to connect with yourself in a deeper way.
You can purchase a block of high-quality ceremonial cacao from Keith’s Cacao using my affiliate link and get 5% off your order (Every purchase through this link helps support my work, thank you!)
Vancouver locals: Want to skip the shipping and order directly from me? Fill out this form and I’ll get you set up with your own brick of cacao.
Reflections
Ceremonial cacao is so much more than a trend, it's a sacred plant medicine that has been honoured for centuries, and it's here to support us on every level: physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
From its rich mineral content and heart-healthy benefits to its ability to gently open emotional pathways and deepen your connection to self, cacao invites you into a more intentional, heart-centered way of being.
Whether you’re gathering in community or sitting in solitude at home, this ancient plant offers a beautiful doorway into presence, healing, and transformation.
If you're feeling called to work with cacao, I invite you to explore the ways it might support you, through joining a ceremony, creating your own home ritual, or simply sipping it as part of your daily self-care.
I’d be honoured to guide you in ceremony, whether you're just beginning or looking to deepen your practice.
Here’s to coming home to your heart, one sip at a time.
