Learn About CACAO
FAQ
HOW MUCH CACAO SHOULD I USE IN A CUP?
For a daily cup or several times a week, you can aim for 10-30g
For cacao ceremony 35-42g
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF DAY TO DRINK CACAO?
For some, cacao is a source of energy and it is better to drink it in the morning or early in the day. For others, it is soothing and relaxing, and then it is ok to drink it later in the day or in the evening.
It can also make a difference how much cacao is put in the cup, a larger portion can be more energizing.
WHICH CACAO IS BEST FOR BEGINNERS?
All the cacao we offer is suitable for those who are just starting to drink cacao.
The cacao from Colombia has been chopped and therefore quick and easy to mix with hot liquid.
The Mayan blend from Guatemala comes in powder form and the cocoa has been mixed with spices and sweetness.
YOU HAVE A LOT OF VARIETY, WHAT SHOULD I CHOOSE?
Is there something that immediately calls to you? Perhaps intuition is telling you what you should choose. The cocoas all have a different flavor profile and character.
- Ecuador has a deep chocolate flavor, a little fruity flavor, as it is grown in a mix with other fruit trees.
- Colombia has a very nice chocolate flavor and a well-balanced flavor profile.
- Bali has a slightly toasted flavor and is also very mild.
- The wild cacao from Bolivia is relatively mild and has a nice earthy chocolate flavor.
- Peru is very savory, just a fermented taste mixed with chocolate/milk or nut notes.
- Guatemala is a special Mayan blend that contains spices and sweetness (panela which is the purest form of raw sugar)
We offer a gift pack with 6 types of cocoa at a 20% discount.
We also offer 28g packages that fit 1-2 cups in the cocoa line from ORA.
WHAT IS A CACAO CEREMONY?
Cacao ceremonies are as diverse as they are many, but they often have some things in common: there is a desire to listen and connect internally and externally, and then, of course, a cup of cacao. Sometimes they include dance, meditation, relaxation, music, conversation or breathing.
The cacao plant is a teacher that can help us reconnect with our own hearts, nurture our relationships and walk through life purposefully and with a clear vision.
Today's cacao ceremonies are not trying to imitate cultural rituals from another time and place. Just because people have long associated cacao in a certain way does not mean that way is better or in line with our modern cultural context and needs. What today's cacao ceremonies have in common with ancient cultures that worked with ceremonial cacao is a genuine desire to connect with and learn from the spirit of cacao.
WHAT IS CEREMONIAL CACAO?
Ceremonial cacao refers to high quality, pure cacao sourced from small family farms that practice regenerative agroforestry.
Ceremonial Cacao is made from one ingredient, whole cacao beans, it is minimally processed, nothing added and nothing removed.
WHY DRINK PURE CACAO?
Pure cacao contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium in large quantities, and its magnesium ratio is the highest of any plant. The brain uses magnesium, especially for memory and concentration, but magnesium is also good for heart function and blood flow. Cacao also contains iron, zinc, phosphorus and calcium and more as well as lots of antioxidants or more than in e.g. apples and blueberries.
Cacao can lighten the mood, stimulate creativity and positivity. It can be both a gentle source of energy, support meditation as well as have a calming and relaxing effect.
What the heck is CACAO anyways and how is it different from coco powder?
The cacao tree (Theobroma cacao) grows cacao fruit (cocoa nut) and inside it are cacao beans from which cacao is made.
The naturalist Carl von Linné named the cacao tree Theobroma cacao in the 18th century, but this Greek word means "food of the gods".
Cacao mass is a whole food made from the cacao bean that has been fermented, the shell is removed and the bean is then ground into a mass that hardens.
The cacao mass, hereinafter referred to as cacao, contains cacao butter which is the best fat so that all the health-improving nutrients that cacao contains are available to us.
Cocoa powder, on the other hand, goes through more processing where the cacao butter is taken from the cacao mass.
Not ALL cacao is the same so it is important to choose well. In general, ordinary cocoa powder and chocolate are processed a lot, which means that much of the good stuff that cacao contains e.g. minerals and antioxidants are lost. It is also unfortunate that the production process is not always good or fair and it has a negative impact on the land and the farmers. The cacao we offer is 100% pure cacao and all handmade from start to finish by locals in each place.
No toxins are used in the cultivation and our cacao from Bolivia has grown wild in the jungle there for thousands of years, without human intervention. It is our heart's desire to offer quality cacao and wholeheartedly support everyone involved in the process.
Pure cacao contains minerals such as magnesium and lime in large quantities and its magnesium content is highest in any plant. The brain uses magnesium, especially for memory and concentration, but magnesium is also good for heart function and blood flow.
Cacao also contains iron, zinc, phosphorus, calcine and more as well as lots of antioxidants or more than in e.g. apples and blueberries.
Our cacao contains almost no caffeine, but it is sometimes confused with another substance found in cacao, theobromine, both of which belong to the category of methylxanthines. Theobromine can stimulate the heart, lower blood pressure and increase blood flow. Caffeine on the other hand stimulates the nervous system.
Theobromine and the neurotransmitter phenylethylamine have gained the reputation of being a natural aphrodisiac food, i.e. sexual tension and attraction may increase. Opinions are however mixed, but if aphrodisiacs are found in the consumption of cacao or chocolate, it is probably due to theobromine and phenylethylamine and their properties to stimulate the heart, improve mood, increase energy, concentration and blood flow and also lower blood pressure.
Cacao contains both neurotransmitters and pathways that are already present in the brain, such as Phenylethylamine which promotes the release of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. Emissions of these substances can have the effect of improving perception and increasing well-being, motivation and motivational control.
Anandamide is known as "The Bliss chemical", but the word "ananda" is derived from Sanskrit, meaning "joy, bliss or delight". Anandamide can increase well-being.
Serotonin that supports increased well-being and less stress.
Dopamine that promotes motivation and pleasure.
Cacao can also be dehydrating, so it is important to drink water when drinking cacao.
