KAKAO sources only the native variety of Cacao in Peru, called Chuncho. 99% of the chocolate industry uses low-grade, unethically sourced, hybridized strains of cacao that are cheap, which do not have the same benefits of wild crafted, native, organic cacao. Learn more here.

Unlike cocoa powder or 'raw' cacao powder, KAKAO stone grinds The WHOLE bean for our products. This means higher nutritional value, higher cocoa butter content, and more noticeable effects (beneficial) upon drinking due to the higher concentration of ceremonial compounds. Learn more here.

This means the beans still contain all or most of their natural compounds. Ceremonial cacao is made from whole bean, native cacao. These beans undergo a fermentation process necessary for cultivating their flavor profile and activating certain natural compounds. The beans are then roasted at low temperatures, cracked, and stone ground by traditional means. Ceremonial cacao is NEVER tempered. Learn more here.

From tree to cup, ceremonial cacao is cultivated with intention, in alignment with the Spirit of Cacao. This means the lands, the farmers, the process, and the finished cacao are treated with compassion, love, respect, and reverence. Learn more here.