Ceremonial-grade cacao is 100% not an official certification—it's a standard for how cacao is produced: selecting only the highest-quality beans and producing them in a way that respects the land, the plant, and every person involved from tree to cup.

Our ceremonial-grade cacao is made exclusively from heirloom Arriba Nacional cacao from Ecuador, widely regarded as some of the finest cacao in the world. It is non-GMO, certified-organic, and whole—nothing is added, and no emulsifiers, alkalization, or high-heat roasting are used, so its natural nutrients and antioxidants stay intact.

The beans are grown on organic agroforestry farms using polyculture that regenerates the soil, and sourced through direct-trade partnerships that pay above-fair-trade prices with profit sharing. From bean to paste it is produced in five steps — cultivation, fermentation, drying, roasting, and grinding — and is meant to be enjoyed mindfully as a daily ritual.

Learn more here.

Yes! All of our products are certified organic by Natural Food Certifiers. Please email info@cacaolaboratory.com to obtain a copy of our certificate.

Yes, we do!

Both our cadmium and lead levels are within safe limits under EU standards. Our cacao is tested to 0.5 ppm cadmium, with 0.8ppm being the limit for 100% cacao. Our cacao is tested to 0.041 ppm lead, with the EU limit in cocoa products with content of ≥ 50% being 0.1 ppm. In both categories, our cacao tests at about half the EU guidelines.

How much you consume depends on your intention. For a meditation, the average dose recommended is 22-30g. For a ceremonial dose, we recommend 40-50g. Beyond 50g in a serving can be too much, especially for those who are just beginning their journey with Cacao.

When you drink too much Cacao, you may experience some mild discomfort. Too much Cacao can cause headaches, nausea, and stomach disruptions due to its detoxifying effects.

When building a relationship with a new plant medicine or herb, consistency is key. One of the co-founders, Florencia, has spent the last few years drinking Cacao daily, creating what is called a “Dieta”. Her Dieta consists of avoiding for the most part dairy, meat, and gluten while drinking Cacao every morning a few hours before a meal.

The amount of Cacao one consumes is important to observe. When having Cacao every day, a meditation serving (28g) is more than enough. We recommend having ceremonial servings (35g) no more than three times per week, especially when beginning to drink cacao ceremonially.

Individuals currently taking any SSRI antidepressants, low blood pressure medication, or those undergoing chemotherapy treatment should not drink more than a meditation dose. The combination of medication and Cacao can cause adverse effects when consumed in higher doses. 

Women who are pregnant should not drink more than 15-20g of pure Cacao to prevent any issues.

The main stimulating ingredient in Cacao is Theobromine. Theobromine is in the same family as caffeine; however, it’s much more gentle on the adrenal glands and nervous system. It is also more alkalizing. Most strains of Cacao contain some caffeine, as well. Heirloom strains from Ecuador, Guatemala, Mexico, and Belize have very little caffeine, however. These types of Cacao are recommended for ceremonial experiences.

No. While Cacao is psychoactive due to the various effects it has on our brain chemistry and mood, it is not considered a psychedelic. Many people do take in high doses of pure Cacao—ceremonial doses—to attain some of the transcendent or euphoric experiences attributed to psychedelics. Your experience may vary.

Ceremonial Cacao contains very low levels of caffeine, and very high levels of calming magnesium. While we wouldn't recommend drinking it within an hour of bed (we don't recommend consuming anything in that timeframe), it should be totally fine to have a meditation serving or lower a couple hours before bed. Do not drink a ceremonial serving, as this is quite a lot and may interfere with your sleep pattern.

Yes. Ceremonial grade cacao is generally safe to consume while pregnant, but we do not recommend very high servings. Like anything, moderation is key when considering the health of your baby.