Ceremonial Cacao 400 grams

A cup of cocoa that gives you a quiet moment to yourself every day. With Maria's guidance in the e-book, this will become a ritual you'll stick with.

A peaceful start to your day

No experience needed: Maria's e-book guides you

Creamy and warmly spiced, with no added sugar

Daily cup or ceremony at home

What is ceremonial cacao?

Cocoa made from whole cocoa beans, with the natural cocoa butter still in it. That makes for a full, rich drink. Six spices make the taste smoother and less bitter, with no added sugar.

What makes our cacao ceremonial?

Cacao from the supermarket is usually powder, from which much of the cacao butter has been removed. Our cacao is made from whole beans and retains that butter. This is how you drink a full cup, daily or during a ceremony. Cacao naturally contains theobromine, magnesium and flavanols, and a little caffeine.

What substances are in cocoa?

Cacao naturally contains, among other things:

Theobromine: the main substance in cacao, related to caffeine. Many people find it milder than coffee.
Magnesium: a mineral naturally found in cacao beans.
Flavanols: plant compounds naturally found in cacao.
Tryptophan: an amino acid, a building block of protein.
Anandamide and phenylethylamine (PEA): compounds found in small amounts in cacao.
A little caffeine.

How much cocoa do you use?

Start small and see what suits you.

First cup: 10–15 g

Daily: 15–25 g

Ceremony: 30–40 g

From one block: 10 to 40 cups

From approximately €1.23 per cup (10 g).

Safety

Cacao contains theobromine and some caffeine. Start with a small amount. Pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, have a heart condition, or sensitive to caffeine? Consult your doctor first, especially regarding a ceremonial dose. Toxic to dogs and cats: keep out of their reach.

Shipping & returns

Shipping costs are displayed at checkout before you pay. Questions? Email info@mariajohanna.com.

Ceremonial Cacao

From €49,00

1 block

When do you take time for yourself?

You wake up and immediately everything demands your attention. You know that a calm start does you good, but after a week it disappears from your morning again.

Your morning now

Coffee standing by the counter
Your day starts with someone else's email
Self-care is on your list, but you never get around to it

With the Oneness Moment

One cup, sitting, without a screen
Your day begins with one intention of your own
Ten minutes you really take for yourself

The solution

Make one cup your moment

Warm the cacao, smell the spices and drink slowly. Write something down, put on some music or just sit for a while. You give the moment meaning.

Prepare → drink mindfully → pause and check in with yourself

More than a bar. With most cacao, you're on your own. With ours, you get Maria's e-book and two playlists, so you know how to get started and stick with it.

Daily or ceremonial

Your cocoa moment

Whether it’s your first time or you’ve done it before, you choose how to make the most of this moment.

Daily

A small ritual that fits into your day

When you wake up, next to your journal, or during a break. Put on the daily playlist and take a few minutes for yourself.

New to cacao? Start with 10–15 grams.

Ceremony at home

More time. More attention. Your ceremony.

Create a nice space, choose an intention and put on the ceremony playlist. Drink slowly, write or listen. Alone or together.

“Where do I want to make space for today?”

You don't need to be an experienced ceremony attendee.

Slide and choose how deep you go

About the cacao

Full-bodied cocoa. Six warming spices.

First, the taste. Then, the time you give yourself.

Full and creamy

Pure, raw Criollo cacao with cocoa butter creates a rich, creamy cup.

No added sugar

Sweeten it yourself, or drink it neat for a ceremony.

Warmly spiced

Cinnamon, cardamom, cloves, vanilla, turmeric and a hint of chili are already in it.

Time without a screen

Ten minutes that are yours alone.

One intention

A word or question to take with you through your day.

No pressure

You don't need to feel anything special. The moment is enough.

You can best taste the cacao with water. With plant-based milk, it becomes creamier.

10 minutes · 4 steps

How to make your cup of cocoa

1

Cut cacao

Cut 10–50 grams into small pieces. New to this? Start with 10–15 grams.

2

Add water or milk

150–200 ml water, plant-based milk, or a mix.

3

Heat and beat

Heat gently until melted. Do not boil.

4

Pour and enjoy

Take the time to savor it, or begin your own ceremony.

Choose your ritual

In the morning

With your journal

After yoga

For a lunch break

At a new phase

Ceremony at home

With friends

From your first cup to your own ritual

Discover how cacao fits into your day. Check out the 7-day cacao challenge in your free e-book.

Day 1

Your first cup

Make your cacao and take five minutes for yourself.

Day 2–3

Discover your taste

Hot, creamy, or with ice cream: discover your favorite.

Day 4–5

Make room for yourself

Listen to the playlist or enjoy the silence.

Day 6–7

Find your moment

Choose what feels right and fits into your day.

After that

Your own ritual

From an everyday cup to an indulgent cacao moment, or prepare for your own cacao ceremony.

Your cacao, including an e-book with recipes, 2 playlists and a 7-day cacao invitation.

Start my ritual

Origin and craftsmanship

Pure Criollo cacao, selected by Maria

I chose Criollo beans from Huila, Colombia, for their smooth, less bitter flavor. Hand-picked and selected. For me, quality and taste are equally important.

Harvested in Colombia. Prepared in the Netherlands by a Colombian shaman, with care and love.

Criollo from Huila · No added sugar · Six warming spices · Gluten-free · Vegan

Maria Johanna — Has been guiding people in plant rituals and ceremonial cacao since 2013. You will receive her cacao e-book with every block.

Read Maria's story

I had already tried so many types and was never completely satisfied. Then I got this for my birthday and fell in love with it. I even asked if it really contained no sugar.

Kyra Walhof

Of all the cocoa I have used, this is by far my favorite. Light, luxurious and good quality.

Judy Sky

Normally, my mind wanders quickly during meditation. With the cacao, I found it easier than ever to stay in the moment.

Duration

	Ceremonial cacao	Coffee
How it feels	A wave: more gradual and gentler for many people	A peak: quickly up
Main fabric	Mainly theobromine, with some caffeine	Especially caffeine
The Moment	Sitting, attentively	Often fast, to get going
Taste	Full-bodied, creamy, warmly spiced	Bitter and burnt

Questions

Everything you want to know

How much cacao do I use for a daily cup or a ceremony?

For a daily cup, 10 to 25 grams; start with 10–15 grams. For a ceremony, 30 to 40 grams. Each block is 25 grams, so it’s easy to visualize.

How do I prepare ceremonial cacao?

Follow the 4 steps above: chop, add 150–200 ml water or plant-based milk, gently heat and blend until frothy. State your intention before taking the first sip. This makes it more than just a drink.

What is ceremonial cacao, and how does it differ from regular chocolate?

Ceremonial cacao is cacao in its purest form. Ours is raw cacao from Criollo beans from Colombia, with cacao butter and six spices, with no added sugar, milk, or fillers. A bar from the factory consists mainly of sugar and milk. People have been using cacao in ceremonies for centuries to reflect on themselves.

Can I combine cacao with other plants, such as mushrooms, Blue Lotus, and the heart tinctures?

Yes, cacao is a good base. You can combine it with mushrooms such as Lion's Mane, with Blue Lotus, or with the heart tinctures. Follow the e-book for that tincture for the number of drops. Mama Cacao and Caapi B. contain Banisteriopsis caapi: read the safety information on that product page first, especially if you are taking medication. Always start with one product at a time.

What can I feel during a cacao ceremony?

That varies from person to person. Some feel warmth and relaxation, while others notice emotions surfacing, from joy to sadness. Often, there is greater clarity and a sense of connection. You don't have to feel anything in particular; let the moment be as it is.

Can I drink cacao every day, or only for a ceremony?

Either is fine. Maria likes to drink a cup herself as a mindful start to the day, a nice alternative to coffee. For a more profound moment, take more. It's up to you.

What does ceremonial cacao give you?

Cacao has traditionally been a plant of the heart: in ceremonies, it is used to reflect on what you feel. Besides, it is simply a delicious, warming cup. Cacao naturally contains theobromine and a little caffeine. For many people, it feels like a calmer start to the day than coffee.

Is cacao safe with medication or during pregnancy?

Ceremonial cacao contains theobromine and caffeine and can make your heart beat faster. Are you pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or do you have a heart condition? Then consult your doctor first, especially regarding a ceremonial dose. When in doubt, always consult your GP first.

How do I store the cacao, and how long does it stay fresh?

Store the cacao in a dark, dry place at room temperature. This will help it stay fresh for longer; the expiration date is on the packaging.

I want to start gradually. How do I go about that?

Start gently. Choose a smaller daily amount of 10 to 15 grams and gradually increase it as you discover what works for you. There is no rush. You will naturally feel when you want more.

Still have questions? Email Maria's team: info@mariajohanna.com

Everything for your cocoa moment

Make your next cup a moment for yourself.