Peruvian Ceremonial Cacao
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We source this single origin, certified organic cacao from a collective of 358 small-scale indigenous farmers of the Asháninka Nation, based in the Ene Basin in the Junín Department of Peru. The collective works closely with the Rainforest Association (RFUK) and the CARE Foundation to implement sustainable farming practices, ensure fair prices, and protect the farmers’ legal rights. The initiative was awarded the 2019 Equator Prize by the United Nations Development Project, and has recently received funding from the NESsT Enterprise.
But our Peruvian cacao is not just good on paper; it is also outstanding in a mug.
Expect a balanced, nutty flavour, a grated macadamia mouthfeel, a subtly spicy nose, and a very smooth finish. This is the perfect cacao help you win a race against a deadline, impress your friends on Strava, get through all that cleaning you’ve been putting off, or punch out a magnificent solo dance session on a Sunday morning.
PREMIUM CACAO: SEASONAL BY NATURE
Nothing in nature is standardised, and no batch of cacao is the same. Like vintage wine or local honey, our cacao changes slightly from batch to batch shaped by:
- Season: Rainy season cacao tends to be bright, fruity, and more acidic. Dry season cacao has deeper chocolate, nutty notes, and rich sweetness.
- Farm & Terroir: Soil nutrients, shade, nearby trees, temperature, and rainfall all affect flavour - even cacao from one side of a farm can taste different to the other.
- Fermentation: Local microbes, temperature, turning frequency, and even the wood of the fermentation box work together to build the flavour.
- Roasting: A lighter roast preserves delicate, fruity flavours. A longer roast draws out caramelised, buttery, and more chocolatey notes.
These variations are the hallmark of premium, small-batch cacao.
Read more about why no two cups of Soma Cacao is the same here.
CACAO CONTAINS CAFFEINE
Soma Cacao contains between 17 - 45mg caffeine per standard 25g serve (the equivalent of a cup of weak black tea). For more info, visit this page.
The Mayans called cacao “the food of the gods”. Along with its rich history of ritualistic and medicinal use, cacao’s crown jewel is theobromine: a gentle, long lasting stimulant that energises us like caffeine, without punishing us with brain-fog and jittery hands later in the day. It’s also rich in essential minerals and produces mood-boosting bioactive compounds - dopamine, serotonin, anandamide (the 'bliss molecule') and P.E.A, an antidepressant also known as the 'love drug'.
For more health benefits including scientific sources, visit our cacao benefits page.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2-3 Tbs Soma Cacao
- 110 mL hot water
- 50 mL milk (we like oat milk)
- 1-2 tsps sweetener (honey, coconut sugar, or maple syrup work great)
METHOD:
Blend all ingredients together using a blender, milk-frother, or whisk. Inhale, sip slowly, and savour!
Cacao powder (or cocoa powder) has undergone intensive processing to extract cacao butter from the paste. This leaves the cacao chalkier and more insipid, and also reduces the fat content, which is vital for the transmission of the neuro-active substances. Studies have proven the widely used method to produce cocoa powder (dutch-processing) significantly decreases the levels of compounds with positive physiological effects.
Our cacao contains the entire cacao bean (excluding the husk/shell). We add nothing, we take nothing away, maintaining the highest concentration of antioxidants, essential minerals, and bliss-inducing compounds.
As an energy source cacao feels more gentle, long-lasting and smooth, while coffee is intense, fast-acting and short-lived. This is because caffeine is a nervous system stimulant, and it produces cortisol, the stress hormone, which can lead to the jitters and anxiety. By contrast, cacao's active ingredient, theobromine, reduces cortisol. This helps us to relax. Cacao also stimulates the cardiovascular system, and opens our blood vessels. This helps blood flow more freely, sends more oxygen through the body, and lowers our blood pressure. We’ve elaborated on this in a recent blog post.
Ceremonial Cacao refers to a premium, pure cacao that is ethically sourced from small family-run sustainable farms.
Ceremonial cacao is made from a single ingredient, whole cacao beans, with nothing added or removed. This is what distinguishes is from cacao powder: a product that has the highly prized cacao butter removed.
Our cacao is minimally processed to retain the highest concentration of antioxidants, bliss-inducing compounds and essential minerals.
Our sourcing methods disrupt the commodity cacao supply chain, which notoriously cuts corners and is notoriously corrupt.
We offer 30-day returns and exchanges on unopened items — you’ll cover return postage for change of mind, and we’ll cover it if we made a mistake. Full details here: Returns & Exchanges Policy
Our cacao contains just one incredient: 100% pure cacao paste. Nothing added, nothing removed.
Allergen Declaration: This product may contain traces of nuts, soy, and dairy as it is processed in facilities that also handles these allergens.
Note: There's a small chance your cacao may melt and resolidify during transit. Rest assured, it's still perfectly fine—just let it fully solidify at room temperature and chop it up. Many brands sell cacao this way - in a block - we simply shave it for a little added convenience.