What is
Cacao?

Long before chocolate, there was cacao. Consumed for millennia as a beverage by ancient Mesoamerican civilizations, cacao is the super healthy, minimally processed form of chocolate.

Cacao is made from the edible seeds of the Theobroma Cacao tree. These seeds, or “beans,” as they are commonly called, are the primary ingredient in chocolate and the only ingredient in our 100% Pure Ceremonial Grade Cacao.

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Keith’s cacao
vs. cocoa powder

The words 'cacao' and 'cocoa' are sometimes used interchangeably, but they are not the same.

Most cocoa products are heavily processed, stripping away nearly all beneficial nutrients and compounds. This is why most mainstream chocolate bars and cocoa powders offer little nutritional or wellness value. The beneficial cacao butter has been stripped out, and a process called Dutching uses alkali to remove cacao’s natural bitterness, sacrificing the most potent health benefits of this remarkable plant.

Is it caffeinated?

Keith's Cacao contains minimal caffeine – about the same amount as in a decaf cup of coffee.

We intentionally source cacao beans that are low in caffeine so that our cacao can support people in introspective activities like meditation and cacao ceremonies (and be safe for pregnant women and children to consume as well). Other ceremonial cacaos can be higher in caffeine content, so it's best to do your research.

What is
ceremonial (grade) cacao?

When Keith first began working with cacao in 2003, he struggled to find something that was consistently good. So he created his own with a higher standard for quality, purity, and potency – and dubbed it 'Ceremonial Grade'.

(Note: Not all cacaos that call themselves "Ceremonial" today have these qualities.)

TO BE CONSIDERED CEREMONIAL, CACAO SHOULD BE:

Carefully Sourced

From non-hybridized, Criollo cacao trees in ancient tropical rainforests. Criollo means 'native' or 'wild' (sometimes called heirloom) and refers to the variety that has been grown and propagated for millennia in Central & South America. The beans are smaller and lower in caffeine than hybridized cacao.

Minimally processed

To preserve the maximum potency of naturally occurring, highly beneficial compounds like theobromine. Over-heating and machine processing reduces the prevalence, bioavailability and efficacy of these compounds. That's why we always toast and peel our beans by hand, not machines.

Ideal for inner work

Ceremonial cacao works as a heart-opener, easing self-awareness and emotional processing. It's ultra low in caffeine and high in theobromine, which gently stimulates the heart and brain for grounded, focused energy. Cacao's bliss molecule anandamide boosts our mood and sense of wellbeing.

What is a cacao ceremony?

When Keith first began sharing his own cacao on his front porch in Guatemala in 2003, he called these group gatherings 'cacao ceremonies'. They were the first of their kind.

Keith’s ceremonies were entirely his own creation. There were no ancient rituals, no set agenda beyond serving cacao to people and diving into whatever healing or guidance the group needed. Keith’s cacao ceremonies were epic in length, ranging from 6 to 15 hours. He stayed as long as someone needed his help.

Once Keith's students and others went on to host their own ceremonies, they shared cacao in their own unique ways, and the meaning of a cacao ceremony expanded. Today there are ceremonies all around the world, led by thousands of practitioners, and no two ceremonies are alike. Some incorporate dance, music, meditation, breathwork, Reiki, and countless other therapeutic modalities.

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Why Drink Cacao?

How to Drink it?