Your Cacao Brewing Guide
Traditional way
Traditionally ceremonial cacao is prepared slowly and with care. The cacao paste is finely chopped and blended with hot (not boiling) water, then whisked until smooth and foamy. Some Indigenous communities add nothing more, only cacao, water, and intention. 43 grams of cacao is often used, symbolizing the number of beans found in a single cacao pod. In the Mayan tradition, cacao is sometimes mixed with chili, maize, vanilla, honey, cinnamon, or even rose petals. The drink is whisked until it becomes rich with bubbles, a foam believed to hold deep spiritual meaning. The bubbles are seen as the drink’s soul: alive, powerful, and sacred.
Modern twist
In modern times, many choose to prepare cacao with plant-based milk for a creamier and rounder taste. Oat or almond milk are beautiful options. Some use a blender and add dates for sweetness; others use a milk frother to bring back that sacred foam. The less water you use, the thicker and stronger it will be in texture and taste.
Before drinking, take a moment to pause, to connect with the cacao, with your heart, and with the present moment. Light an incense, put on some lovely music and connect with what your heart is longing for.
Why do we put an intention into the cacao?
Cacao has long been known as a powerful heart-opening plant, one that help us connect and brings awareness back to what truly matters. Setting an intention helps direct that, giving the experience more depth, meaning and purpose. When we drink cacao with intention, we create space to receive what our heart is calling for. The intention becomes a guide. It might be gratitude, clarity, healing, or peace. It’s not about forcing a goal, but about listening. To find your intention, you might ask yourself:
What is my heart truly longing for?
What do I wish to invite in today?
And on days that feel still or uncertain, the intention can simply be to trust and to stay open to what the spirit of cacao wants to reveal. The act of slowing down, setting an intention and drinking your cup with presence turns a it into something more than a drink, it becomes a small ritual of presence, connection, and care. A chance to tune in with our deepest truth, see clearly, feel what wants to be felt, and let our heart guide the way.
What to Do During and After Drinking Cacao
In many traditional teachings, cacao is often described as heart-opening, both emotionally and energetically. It contains theobromine that many people experience as uplifting and grounding during ritual. It also contains tryptophan, anandamide, and phenylethylamine, which are natural compounds which many people associate with feelings of happiness, love, and calm. Anandamide is sometimes called “the bliss molecule” for the sense of peaceful joy it can bring. Some describe these elements as supporting a sense of warmth, connection, and inner openness, which is why cacao has been used for centuries in ceremonial settings.
Many traditions also speak of Mama/Abuela Cacao, a wise and loving spirit that opens us to feel more, to listen, and to reconnect with what’s true and real. As the cacao moves through your body, it begins to soften the inner landscape and open the emotional heart. You may feel emotions arise, inspiration spark, or a quiet sense of peace settle in. Some feel called to move, to create, to breathe, or to simply sit in presence. You might want to journal, sing, dance, meditate, rest, or spend time in nature. There really is no single way, only what your heart asks for in that moment.
The spirit of cacao often meets us exactly where we are. Sometimes she offers warmth and joy; other times, clarity or release. Trust what unfolds. When we approach cacao with respect and openness, she becomes not just a drink, but a gentle teacher that guides us back to our heart.