Preparing Your Ceremonial Cacao
An intentional, daily ritual of care and presence.
There is no right or wrong way to prepare cacao! There are several different methods and whichever you choose will depend on your intention and preferences. As long as you bring presence and care, you are doing it!
Preparation
Finely chop your 1lb block of cacao.
Heat 8oz water or plant-based milk (almond, coconut, oat, etc.) just below boiling.
Add finely chopped cacao (see serving size guide below)
Add sweetener
Optional: 2 tsp honey, maple syrup, date syrup, or coconut sugar
Add spices
Optional: a pinch of cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, cloves, ginger, turmeric, vanilla
Whisk cacao to dissolve (electric frother, whisk, or blender)
As you whisk, be mindful of your thoughts—you might choose to think about what you wish for yourself (and whoever you are serving) for the day. Ask for grounding and clarity, offer gratitude for the day.
When cacao is fully dissolved, pour into a serving glass. Store unused cacao in an airtight container.
Sit in a quiet place and take a few deep breaths. You might light a candle or incense, and play gentle music. Set an intention for your experience.
Ask yourself what it is you truly need right now. (Your intention might be to gain clarity or insight, to slow down, to release old patterns, to connect with your body, to support your creativity, or to hear your heart. Trust your intuition.)
Breathe your intention into your cacao, and begin to drink slowly and with awareness. Feel the intention put into your cup and now into your body. You might keep a journal or creative project nearby—inspiration or insights may naturally arise. Set aside a few minutes to really be present.
Move through your day with the same love, care, and presence :)
SERVING SIZE GUIDE
Gentle // Everyday Serving: 1-2 tbsp | 10-20 g
Intention: Energizing, mood boosting, focus enhancing
Creative // Expanded Serving: 2-3 tbsp | 20-30 g
Intention: Creative stimulant, self-reflection, meditation, yoga
Deep // Ceremonial Serving: 3-4 tbsp | 30-40 g
Intention: Deeper meditation, reflection, emotional and heart opening
Ceremonial servings are often enjoyed weekly or a few times per week, while gentle/creative servings can be enjoyed daily. Always listen to your body and adjust based on how you feel.
SPICE BLEND GUIDE
Cinnamon: Warm and comforting, adds natural sweetness, supports digestion, balances blood sugar
Cardamom: Bright and uplifting, opens heart and breath with light floral notes, supports digestion and clears stagnation
Nutmeg: Grounding and calming, brings warmth and depth, supports relaxation and encourages inward reflection.
Cloves: Warming aromatic, supports digestion, circulation, and cleansing
Ginger: Activating, adds gentle heat, supports digestion and circulation, moves energy through the body
Cayenne: Warming and invigorating, supports circulation, digestion, and gentle metabolic activation.
Turmeric: Grounding, supports inflammation balance, pair with a pinch of black pepper
Vanilla: Sweet, heart-opening, supports relaxation and mood, enhances natural cacao’s natural chocoalate
Maca: Earthy, nourishing,and energizing, supports stamina and balance
Start with a pinch and you can always add more! A few of my favorite spices mixes are:
Cinnamon + cardamom + nutmeg
Cinnamon + ginger + cayenne
Cinnamon + cardamom + vanilla
Let the creativity flow with your spices!
