Ceremonial Grade Cacao: Why It’s More Than a Buzzword

In the ever-evolving world of wellness it’s easy to get swept up in trendy terms, and "ceremonial grade cacao" is one of them! 

It’s a phrase that’s popping up everywhere, from yoga studios to boutique cafés. But behind the buzz of commercialisation and spiritual jargon lies a much deeper, older, and more sacred meaning.

Long before cacao became the sweet treat, and a trendy addition to a spiritual gathering, it was used as a medicine for ceremonial and ritual use. For thousands of years, Indigenous communities across Central and South America have used cacao in ceremonies to open the heart, deepen a spiritual connection to the natural world, and bring people together in community.

There is currently no regulatory body that oversees what qualifies as "ceremonial grade". That means it’s up to each brand to hold themselves accountable to a high ethical standard!

At Ritual Cacao, we take this responsibility very seriously. 

This month alone, we have turned down two offers of "ceremonial grade cacao" (despite their attractive price). One provider because their cacao liquor was a mxiture of different cacao varieties, incuding up to 20% GMO content, and a batch of beans from a grower who openly uses pesticides. 

So what does ceremonial grade mean to us at Ritual Cacao?

Let’s take a closer look…

What Is Ceremonial Grade Cacao, Really?

True ceremonial grade cacao isn’t chocolate or cacao powder; it’s cacao in its purest, most unprocessed form. It’s made from carefully grown, hand-harvested beans that are fermented, dried, and stone-ground into a paste, without additives or industrial processing. This process preserves the plant’s full energetic, nutritional, and medicinal qualities. Understanding what makes cacao truly "ceremonial" is essential if we want to honour the plant and its traditional use in a respectful and meaningful way. So let’s dive in and explain in more detail. 

For our Ritual Cacao to be ceremonial grade it must be:

Ethically Sourced: Ceremonial grade cacao refers to a premium grade, pure cacao that is ethically sourced from small family farms practicing regenerative agroforestry. It’s a whole-food plant medicine made from just one ingredient: whole cacao beans, with nothing added or removed.

Single Origin Bean: At Ritual Cacao, we only use non-GMO, heirloom Fino de Aroma and Criollo beans from Ecuador’s Chocó Andino region and the Peruvian Amazon, regions rich in biodiversity, ancient heirloom beans, and ancestral cacao practices.

Minimally processed to preserve the bean’s natural integrity: Our cacao is crafted with the least intervention possible. From harvest to fermentation, to the final grind, every step is done to preserve the cacao bean’s full spectrum of nutrients, flavours, and medicinal compounds. We avoid heavy processing methods, ensuring that what reaches your cup remains true to the spirit and potency of the original plant.

Just 100% pure cacao liquor: Our cacao is made solely from whole cacao beans, with nothing added and nothing removed. This means no sugar, no fillers, no solids, no processing agents. Ritual Cacao is just pure, unadulterated cacao in its most potent and nourishing form.

Organically grown in healthy, living soil: We work exclusively with small farm holdings that prioritise soil and plant health. Our cacao is grown organically that allows the land to thrive naturally, and ensures a cleaner, more delicious, and more vibrant cacao for your mind, body and spirit. 

Free from herbicides and pesticides: We do not accept cacao from farms that rely on harmful agricultural chemicals. Instead, our cacao is grown in environments where natural pest management and biodiversity take the lead, safeguarding both the integrity of the plant and the wellbeing of the ecosystem.

Grown without deforestation or monocropping: All of our cacao comes from multi-layered, diverse growing systems from family smallholdings, called chakra’s. Specifically, it is cultivated using agricultural practice that preserves native forest cover, supports diverse plant and animal life, and reflects a deep, respectful relationship between humans and the land.

Tested for heavy metals: Purity and safety are non-negotiable. That’s why our cacao is tested for heavy metals like lead and cadmium, and falls well below the EU’s strict safety thresholds. We’re committed to transparency and to offering cacao you can enjoy with the full peace of mind that Ritual Cacao is the cleanest and purest you can buy.

Free from slave labor or unfair practices: We believe in ethical sourcing from seed to cup. That means no exploitation, and absolutely no shortcuts. We work directly with farmers and cooperatives, paying fair prices and investing in long-term partnerships. This ensures that the people who grow our cacao can continue their ancestral agricultural traditions with dignity and sustainability.

Staying true to the ceremonial-grade cacao path isn’t the easiest (or cheapest) road, but it’s the journey we are on, and we’re here for the long haul. 

At Ritual Cacao, we don’t see cacao as just a product, commodity or business. For us cacao is a sacred plant ally. Each batch is prepared in small quantities with deep respect for its origins, and its ceremonial purpose. This is cacao that is made slowly, mindfully, and with intention, so that it can support something greater than a moment of indulgence. 

Whether you’re sharing cacao with others, or using it for a quiet morning ritual alone, you are safe in the knowlege that our ceremonial grade cacao provides the full spectrum of nutrients, flavours, and medicinal compounds, so you can reconnect with your heart, with your body, with the Cacao Spirit, and with the Earth.

And that’s what makes our cacao truly ceremonial grade.