My partner and I drink our cacao first thing every morning. We mix in with our other nutrient drinks (mushrooms and Nutriverus) So each day is started in meditation and complete nutrition .
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Paste, Organic
Regular price
£75.00
(£2.13
/
oz)
Size
Flavor Notes | Tropical Fruits, Flowers
Best For | Daily rituals, ceremonies, coffee replacement
Our original 100% ceremonial-grade cacao, perfect for any mood or moment. Sourced directly from smallholder farms in the pristine highlands of Manabí, Ecuador, this cacao is made with 100% heirloom beans that have grown on the land for over a century. The beans are farmed using traditional methods and fermented meticulously to develop the exquisite floral and fruit notes that the Arriba Nacional variety is so prized for. They are then toasted at low heat to maintain their nutritional value and impart a satisfying richness. Simply the finest cacao we have ever tasted—we think you’ll agree.
Certified organic and low in heavy metals verified by 3rd-party testing
100% cacao paste that retains all of its natural, healthy fats. Traditionally fermented and low-roasted to maintain antioxidant and mineral potency
Your first purchase includes 7-day trial access to our online cacao community. Subscribers get lifetime access. Join twice-weekly virtual cacao circles led by our co-founder, Florencia
Direct relationships with small family farms practicing traditional agroforestry
Regular price
£75.00
(£2.13
/
oz)
Size
Flavor Notes | Tropical Fruits, Flowers
Best For | Daily rituals, ceremonies, coffee replacement
Our original 100% ceremonial-grade cacao, perfect for any mood or moment. Sourced directly from smallholder farms in the pristine highlands of Manabí, Ecuador, this cacao is made with 100% heirloom beans that have grown on the land for over a century. The beans are farmed using traditional methods and fermented meticulously to develop the exquisite floral and fruit notes that the Arriba Nacional variety is so prized for. They are then toasted at low heat to maintain their nutritional value and impart a satisfying richness. Simply the finest cacao we have ever tasted—we think you’ll agree.
Certified organic and low in heavy metals verified by 3rd-party testing
100% cacao paste that retains all of its natural, healthy fats. Traditionally fermented and low-roasted to maintain antioxidant and mineral potency
Your first purchase includes 7-day trial access to our online cacao community. Subscribers get lifetime access. Join twice-weekly virtual cacao circles led by our co-founder, Florencia
Direct relationships with small family farms practicing traditional agroforestry
What is Arriba Nacional Cacao?
Arriba Nacional is the heirloom variety of Ecuadorian Cacao. Known for its delicious floral flavors and pungent aromas, it is but 1% of Ecuador’s Cacao production. This exquisite variety with its complex flavor profile is being replaced by GMO Cacao varieties, which are more homogeneous and higher-yielding but less flavorful and nutritious. Our Cacao is made with what remains of the old-growth Cacao trees still present in the province of Manabí, along the banks of the Portoviejo river.
Customer Reviews
Overall rating: 4.9 / 5 from 1622 reviews.
So good!!
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
I mostly get to enjoy a cup of cacao on the weekends. Unhurried through preparation and then sitting outdoors in nature. The flavor is rich, smooth, and delicious, and I really appreciate the quality.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Never dreamed I would like unsweetened chocolate… even dark chocolate candy is not good. But Cacao surprised me. Not only does it have a aromatic chocolate smell it tastes very good. I use it with a little heavy whipping cream. It has replaced my coffee, i have it every morning sitting on the porch looking at my garden and the birds and bees and butterflies. Wonderful way to start my day. I researched alot about what a pure Cacao was suppose to be. A lot of fakes out there called “ceremonial”. This one checked all the boxes. When I pass by an ad on FB I always put your link in the comments box. 🤣Enjoy my ceremony every morning.
I enjoy 2TBSP cacao every morning, I stopped coffee completely. My BP is stabilized with out any medication. I turned 79 years on 8/6:26. I want to live a quality life with out cardio vascular issues and with good cognition, emotionally sound! That is what cacao is doing for me. I pass on this message to many people as part of living them. Thank you so much for good quality cacao that I can trust buying from you. Vijaya
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Great product. We love it
It was incredible
Mixed with oat milk, cardamom and rose… delicious.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
I have tried several ceremonial grade cacao from other companies and I find myself continually coming back to this brand. There is just something about it that my body likes. I'm going to introduce this to a good friend of mine as a birthday gift. There is one wish that I request: Offer a tin can to purchase.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Love my morning cacao ritual with my plants and birds. It is the best cacao.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
The cacao tastes great and I love the idea behind it. I was disappointed with the deceptive packaging in that the bag was not filled all the way given how expensive it is. On top of that, the shipping is quite expensive for 8 ounces of cacao. It came in a box that was larger than necessary and included what I think was supposed to be an ice pack, but it was not cold at all. Given how expensive the product is, the shipping should be less and/or it should be packaged more efficiently.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Such amazing quality and absolutely delicious. My favorite ritual and heart opener 🤎
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
This cacao brings a sense of calm, grounded, focus and connectedness. Love it for connecting with self and others. Also love the intentions and integrity of Cacao Lab as an organization!
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
A beautiful cacao. It is very grounding and gentle. It has a smooth, deep rich flavour. Truly a hug in a mug!
Love your cacao. I like That is fresh an not dry and I love to add lavander and dry rose Buds to garnish . I also like adding cayenne 🥰
I mix it in with my coffee every morning and it has given me energy and focus first thing in the morning; but also a sustained energy throughout the day. I come home each day with energy to spare instead of collapsing. It has been a welcome addition to round out my vitamin regimen.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
I love my ceremonial cacao! It’s a sacred ritual for me, and a doorway to presence and spirit. Its flavor and aroma are soothing and warming for my heart. I can feel its purity, and the love of those who grow it and process it, so it can make it to us. Thank you so much for this amazing gift 🙏🏼✨💜
Love making this cup of love in the afternoon as a way of dropping back into myself amidst my busy clinical days.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Delicious! Takes some experimenting to get the portions right but I’m really enjoying it. I typically mix it with coconut milk, cinnamon, cardamom, and honey.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
This is the best cacao I have had. I really feel differently when I drink this.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
I love incorporating your beautiful cacao into my daily rituals! It’s been a game changer in my nervous system regulation.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Love my morning routine with 100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Organic (granulated). Take a look at that cup, yum delicious.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
still my favorite cacao brand!
My Brother and Sister, I am so grateful to have experienced the kernel of your collective intentions blossom into supporting the collective with this gift from our Mother. Florencia, Marinés is someone I create with and she prepared cacao at our last offering. The full spectrum of love was present as the men’s circle embraced the ceremony. In Gratitude and Love, Jc Https://www.instagram.com/fiveminutesofjoy
Mr. Sox loves cacao time - maybe its the warm, quiet lap that is suddenly available. He knows the ritual, waits his turn to be smudged with sage, and than sits on my lap when I sit down to drink. It is a highlight of my and my husband's week, this little loving ritual. A time we can take a breath during these crazy times personally and collectively. So grateful for the delicious cacao that Cacao Lab sources for us. Thank you!
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Make sure you slowly heat it with just enough water to ensure it melts for maximum smoothness! Add more water only as it’s melted! My current fav: with 35 g of cacao add 1 heavy pinch sea salt to water on heat, 1 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp cayenne, 1.5-2 tsp coconut sugar, ~1/2 tbsp vanilla extract (add all early in heat cycle). Mexican hot chocolate!
I highly recommend this high quality cacao! It is sustainably grown, organic, direct trade and ceremonial grade which is important to me. I used it for a Cacao Ceremony and it was perfect! I also use a smaller done in place of coffee or tea 4 to 5 times a week!
I am really happy with Cacao Laboratory’s Ceremonial Cacao. And I would like to say thank you to the company and everyone involve in creating this experience. I feel that the intention they meant to give us thru cacao really has accomplish its goal. The Cacao drinking ritual feels a a self love experience and a connection to the divine nature! Thank you!!
I love enjoying this beautiful cacao w my pup in the morning.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Beautiful medicine, great taste, and I love how it connects me to my body and heart ❤️
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Tin, Organic (8 oz - granulated)
Best tasting cacao I’ve tried yet! I like it better than Keith’s. Gives you that nice hum along with a. Good mood. My only question is getting a coa on heavy metals and mold testing.
I didn’t plan on stopping coffee, but after a couple of weeks, I just kept choosing your delicious cacao every day instead! My morning ritual has become so much more magical and soul-nourishing - I can’t wait to prepare it, smell it, hold it, and sip it! I’ve felt more steady, calm, grounded, creative and open-hearted. I’m excited to continue expanding on this path. Thank you! 💜🙏💜
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Out of all of the foods, I’ve tried all around the world, nothing coats my mouth in such a sultry and warming experience as my morning cup of cacao. I get excited to go to sleep at night because I know it means I have a chance to wake up and drink another cup of cacao. That’s how amazing this stuff is. The sheer mouth feel and taste is enough alone, and that’s without even speaking to the clear, heartwarming and mind opening benefits that it offers as well. Lifting without overstimulating. Warm yourself up to higher doses as you go and you’ll enjoy it! Make sure not to add too much water. A thick and viscous brew leads to the most LUXURIOUS texture you could imagine!
Morning cacao together on the weekends has become a way my husband and I connect and breathe together after a long, stressful week. We zoom out to the big picture of our lives, practice deep gratitude, and find inspiration. Most importantly, our cat, Mr. Sox, enjoys the quiet lap time! Thank you, Cacao lab, for bringing this blessing into our lives in a way that also blesses those who produce it.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
I love the granulated version, it makes it so easy to use for my daily routine, and I'm so thankful for the way it has supported my physical and mental health.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
The cacao is delicious. Great way to welcome in the day. I also appreciate the video that takes us through a cacao meditation.
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Absolutely love this cacao! It has become my new daily ritual. The flavor is fruity, smooth and delicious. I have it plain or add spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
Cacao Lab’s Cacao is pure Magic in a Cup . I was lucky enough to be within driving distance - and it was well worth the 1.5 hour drive up to Kingston NY to enjoy my first sip! I will forever order this brand! I was referred through a friend . I haven’t looked back since. This Cacao is truly one of a kind! I love it & My soul loves it as well. I enjoy a cup at night to come down from the day . This Cacao specifically holds special properties for me and feels very grounding- it really allows me to feel present and relaxed . To put it simple - I Cherish it! ❤️
100% Arriba Nacional Ceremonial-Grade Cacao Pouch, Organic (granulated)
Excellent cacao! Very rich in flavor, sometimes I make a mousse out of it!
The Details
Unlike cocoa powder, ceremonial Cacao has not been defatted and requires warm water and thorough blending for it to mix well.
1. Heat up water to just under boiling
2. While heating up water, begin to chop or grate the cacao. If cacao is already granulated, you can skip this step.
3. Mix chopped/granulated cacao thoroughly with either a tea infusion or hot water using a frother, blender, or whisk.
Quality of water is an important component: filtered water is preferred.
For more thorough preparation instructions, ideas for superfood boosts, and recipes, please visit our Preparing Your Cacao page.
Attention: We do not add emulsifiers to our cacao. This may lead to the naturally occurring fats in the cacao to separate from the solids and create white spots or a thin white layer on your cacao. This is called blooming and is normal. The properties of the cacao remain intact and its quality does not change.
A meditation serving is about 1 ounce (28 grams). This can also be measured with about 2 heaping tablespoons of chopped or granulated cacao.
A ceremonial serving is about 1.25 ounces (36 grams). This can also be measured with about 3 tablespoons of chopped or granulated cacao.
An 8 oz tin of granulated cacao will make about 8 meditation servings; a 1 pound bag of granulated cacao will make about 16 meditation servings; while the 1 kilo (2.2 lb) block will make about 35 meditation servings.
Our whole ceremonial-grade cacao is an incredibly healthy food. Read more about it on our Cacao and Your Health page.
Some highlights include:
- High theobromine content and very low caffeine content. Theobromine is a cousin to caffeine, but it works completely differently. It works primarily on your cardiovascular system rather than your brain, giving you a gentle, long-lasting lift without the jitters and caffeine crash.
- Incredible antioxidant potency. Ceremonial-grade cacao has over 40x the antioxidants of blueberries and is one of the most antioxidant-dense foods in the world.
- One of the best vegan sources of magnesium, which helps relax the body and maintain muscle health.
- The best vegan source of iron.
- Vital source of vitamins A, C,and D and B-complex vitamins B1, B2, and B3.
- Whole cacao contains high levels of the amino acids l-tryptophan and l-tyrosine, which are the building blocks of the mood-moderating neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine.
- It contains phenylethylamine, known as the love drug. PEA works by slowing the reuptake of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, leading to an increased concentration of “happy chemicals” in the brain. This may lead to a natural anti-depressive state over time.
- Cacao is one of the only food sources of the endocannabinoid anandamide, known as the bliss molecule. The anandamide in cacao works in concert with the body's internal cannabinoid system, moderating stress, pain, and mood responses. CBD supplements act similarly by attaching to endocannabinoid receptors in the body, rather than the brain.
- The very high levels of antioxidants in ceremonial-grade cacao have been shown to be neuroprotective. And while cacao is not a psychedelic, it is a psychoactive compound—meaning that it may play a vital role in improving your mental space.
Ceremonial-grade is not a certification, but rather an intentional process of bringing to market the very best cacao available.
These are our core tenets of ceremonial-grade cacao:
The source matters. Cacao plants are not all created equal, and seeking the best cacao is the first step to ensuring an excellent experience. This is why we harvest heirloom cacao from some of the oldest and least-modified plantings in the world.
The land matters. The raising of said cacao must be in harmony with the land and regenerate it over time. All of our cacao is raised in agroforestry systems that maintain the forest, rather than destroy it.
Respect matters. Every person, from the farmer to the team member who packs your shipment, must be compensated fairly and treated with respect. That's why we pay above-fair-trade prices at origin and include all employees and partner farms in profit-sharing plans.
Intention matters. This cacao is meant to hold a special place in your life—a ritual, a refuge, a teacher. As such, every member of the process treats the production of your cacao with the intention that it plays a valuable role in your day, and we hope you enjoy it with the same respect.
You can read more about our commitment to bringing you the best cacao at our What Is Ceremonial-Grade Cacao? page.
All orders are sent within 1-3 business days from sale via USPS or UPS, depending on the location. For the summer months, all packages are shipped with express service and cold packs to avoid melting cacao. Orders are shipped Monday-Wednesday only for the summer months.
We ship to the US, Canada, and some other select locations on a case-by-case basis. All international orders require duties and taxes to be paid by the receiver, as we cannot collect taxes on behalf of governments outside the US.
Shipping on all orders over $120 is free!
Unfortunately, we cannot accept returns because cacao is a food.
However, we do stand behind our products and will work with you to issue a refund if the product is not to your liking.
Please visit our refund policy page for further information.