How do I Choose my Dose of Cacao?
It's more than just chocolate… it's cacao.
Known as the “food of the gods,” cacao is minimally processed to retain its superfood benefits. Cacao gets its rich flavor and heart-opening properties from its active compound, theobromine, a powerful cardiovascular stimulant. Cacao has been enjoyed for thousands of years in sacred rituals and ceremonies, and still retains its potency and functional benefits today.
What are the benefits of cacao?
Cacao is a nutrient dense plant medicine filled with unique and healthy compounds:
Theobromine is cacao’s famous cardiovascular stimulant that opens your heart space and helps to detox your body
Anandamide is a mood-boosting compound that activates the brain's cannabinoid receptors
Magnesium helps to calm the body and ease sore muscles
Antioxidants help to reduce inflammation and support heart health
In addition to the above functional benefits, cacao invites a heart-opening journey within. The ancient Olmecs, Mayans and Aztecs used cacao, prepared in a drink known as “bitter water,” to enhance their connection with the spirit of Mother Nature & to deepen their awareness of the wisdom in their heart.
Daily Dose Of Cacao
For a daily ritual dose, we recommend 1-2 tablespoons depending on your own personal preference and overall physical response to the cacao. Start with a smaller dose and listen to your body. Cacao’s theobromine has stimulating effects, helping to open the heart and activate detox pathways. With an open heart, you may experience more energy, a clearer mind and/or waves of emotions. As cacao’s blissful compounds move through your body, invite the plant to bring you back in touch with your true nature: one that is abundant in love, joy and deep connection.
Ceremonial Dose of Cacao
A ceremonial “shamanic dose” of cacao, said to induce an altered state of body and mind, is 42 grams of cacao paste or approximately three full tablespoons blended into 8 ounces of hot water.. Drink your cacao with love and reverence and you can experience a heart-opening journey for up to 3-4 hours. Take your time, breathe deep and let cacao speak into your heart and mind.
Setting Intentions with Cacao
While you prepare your cup of cacao, start to breathe and connect into your heart space. As you sip, set your intention to welcome the spirit of cacao to speak into your heart and body. Take intention, deep breath and invite your senses to connect you more deeply with yourself and all life around you. Continue to listen, relax and receive and notice what comes up for you. Whether you spend a few breaths or many hours with your cacao, regular time to connect with this heart-opening plant will surely strengthen your connection to yourself and your capacity to live from your heart.
Practicing and cultivating intentional living in all aspects of life especially with what we ingest. Cacao has a complex way of functioning with the mind, body and spirit. So setting intentions is highly important and will navigate you to connect with this plant medicine. A gentle meditation followed by setting intentions will amplify your experience by asking the plant for the answers you seek within.
Don't overly indulge in too much since we must respect the plant. Drinking too much could lead to a mild stomach ache. Unwind and sit with your cup, tasting the smooth bitterness of the dark chocolate on your mouth as you let the transformation process begin.
Our Favorites for Daily and Ceremonial Doses
All Maya Moon cacao blends are made with 100% ceremonial whole bean cacao that we source direct from cacao farmers in Ecuador, and then blend with 100% organic maple sugar for a touch of sweetness. Herbs, spices and mushrooms add distinctive flavor and functional benefits.
Creativity: try our Aphrodisiac Cacao with maca and damiana to activate your sacral center for creativity, energy and vitality
Balance: try our Adaptogen Cacao with reishi and chaga mushroom extracts, both powerful adaptogens to help harmonize your body and support whole health
Clear Mind: try our Mind + Body Cacao with lion’s mane mushroom extract for clear thought plus lavender and rose to calm your body and nervous system
Written by Ariana Salazar