Cocoa as a special drink

"For us, ceremonial cacao is not just any "cacao paste." It's a journey, a philosophy, a lifestyle change, a bridge between the earth and the spirit, between the past and the present. It's a tribute to nature and the deep roots that intertwine the cacao plant with Mesoamerican knowledge . "

For millennia, the native peoples of Mesoamerica recognized cacao as a sacred gift from the universe, a source of nourishment and profound spiritual connection. "Xocolatl" (from Nahuatl) was not just a seed and a food, but a rich and symbolic beverage, enhanced by other precious ingredients, such as corn, which reflected harmony with nature and the cosmos.

With the Spanish invasion in the 16th century, this extraordinary plant underwent a profound transformation. Brought to other regions of the world, such as parts of Africa and Indonesia, cacao lost much of its symbolic value, precisely with the advent of industrial processes. From a symbol of ritual and connection, it was reduced to a basic ingredient in numerous products found in supermarkets around the world, from cacao-flavored cereals to cacao-flavored supplements, chocolate chip cookies, pralines, candies, and chocolates rich in sugar and glucose syrup, to name just a few.

In recent decades, however, cocoa has been rediscovered in its purest form. Not only as a food, but as a plant with extraordinary therapeutic properties. When used intentionally, in holistic or ritual contexts, it can become a valuable ally for emotional well-being and inner balance.

🌳 Our version, inspired by the ancestral Mesoamerican drink

Our vision of ceremonial cacao is rooted in respect for its origins , but has no intention of appropriating native Mesoamerican cultures.

When we began our journey, we distanced ourselves from the commercial logic of conventional chocolate to focus on purity. Ours is a celebration of cacao in its essence: a raw, authentic, real food, transformed with artisanal processes reminiscent of pre-Hispanic specialty beverages . 

We don't organize ceremonies or online courses on how to become a "cocoa guardian . " No, we don't want to view cocoa as a forced spiritual experience. We prefer to dedicate ourselves to the transformation and protection of cocoa, offering a product that respects the land, those who grow it, and those who consume it . We are interested in working consistently with cocoa farmers, for a short and integrated supply chain that can be defined as sustainable in all its forms.

🪶 Why is it called ceremonial cacao?

The term “ceremonial cocoa” is recent and, like any new concept, is subject to interpretation.

For us, to be such, it must have these characteristics:

1. Cocoa must be grown with great dedication in regenerative agroforestry systems and not come from monocultures that put biodiversity at risk;

2. Decent prices must be paid directly to those who produce it, so as to promote a better distribution of work and profits;

3. It must be handcrafted, in small batches, transformed slowly and with deep intention.🪶

Every cup we prepare tells a story of the territory from which it comes: from the seeds grown in our cacao farms , such as Finca Cuyancúa, El Salvador, our country of origin, to the slow grinding on our stone mills, up to the drink that evokes ancient preparations.

🧘‍♀️ What is meant by Cocoa Ceremony?

Cacao was part of the rituals of the native Mesoamerican peoples, along with corn, quetzal feathers, jade , shells, and so on . What we call "ceremony" today is a contemporary reinterpretation, often enriched by holistic practices, a cross-fertilization of cultures from around the world, in what we might call a genuine syncretism.

Sitting in a circle, sharing songs, drums, and a cup of cacao can be a truly transformative experience; a way to connect with one's inner self and with others , but it's difficult to document whether a ceremony solely to honor cacao existed in Mesoamerica. Some say yes, and some say no. This remains an open and debatable topic.

However, we can conclude that talking about "Cacao Ceremonies" is a modern movement, inspired by Mesoamerica, and which requires sensitivity and respect.

As with yoga or Ayurveda, cacao is sometimes the victim of cultural appropriation that distorts history and penalizes people belonging to various indigenous groups of Mesoamerica.

For us, working with cacao means honoring its history without distorting its essence, but also without resorting to appropriating the cultures and cosmovisions of the native Mesoamerican peoples.

📍How to recognize a good ceremonial cacao?

Recognizing good ceremonial cocoa is important and can be recognized by its flavor, its aroma, and above all, by its gentle vibration that can touch an emotional part of us.

With us, you can be sure that we don't buy cocoa pastes made by others, nor industrial products made by others and sold as ceremonial cocoa. Our artisanal cocoa pastes for ceremonial use are created in our artisanal laboratory using just one ingredient: cocoa beans.

The heat and friction of our stone mills create a raw, unrefined paste that still contains all its natural cocoa butter, a vegetable fat naturally present in cocoa beans . Therefore, nothing is added to the cocoa beans, and nothing is taken away.

A treasure trove of precious antioxidants such as flavonoids, a concentration of essential minerals for the proper functioning of our cognitive system such as magnesium, potassium, phosphorus and iron, as well as plant proteins and lots and lots of fiber, which help nourish our intestinal microbiota.

🫀 Some of the best known virtues

This extraordinary and revered seed of nature also contains anandamide, also known as the "happiness molecule," and tryptophan, an essential amino acid for balancing our circadian rhythm, very useful in a vegan diet. Cocoa is among the few natural foods that contain tryptophan.

It's a natural ally, a valid alternative to coffee for those sensitive to caffeine, and an invitation to live in harmony with our body, our mind, and the world around us.

Every cacao bean carries a story, an ancestral knowledge that we preserve and respect. Sharing it with you is our way of celebrating this connection.

📧 We're always available for a discussion, so if you need to talk to us, you can write to us at hello@vaicacao.com or contact us on Instagram