What "best" actually means for ceremonial cacao
Not every block labelled "cacao" belongs in a ceremony. Ceremonial-grade cacao is made from 100% cacao mass and cacao butter only — no sugar, milk powder, soy lecithin or fillers. It is pressed from whole beans, so the fat content stays intact, which is part of why it feels different in the body than a supermarket cooking chocolate.
Our ceremonial cacao varieties
We work with small-scale cacao farmers in Ecuador and Peru and offer four single-origin varieties, each pressed as pure cacao mass with nothing added.
Sierra Ecuador Block
Soft and mild with a very fine aroma and a pleasant bitterness — a gentle entry point.
Criollo Peru Block
Considered the rarest and finest cacao variety in the world — complex, intense, deep.
Criollo Peru Drops
The same rare variety in convenient drop form for precise, easy dosing.
Naranjal Ecuador Wafers
Vibrant, fruit-forward aromatics with a noticeable citrus freshness.
Why Criollo cacao is often called "the best"
Criollo is the oldest and rarest of the three main cacao families (Criollo, Forastero, Trinitario), making up a small fraction of global cacao production. It's prized for a smoother, more complex flavour with less raw bitterness than the more common Forastero varieties — which is why our Criollo Peru Block and Drops are a core part of what we offer at Zeremonie Kakao.
That said, "best" is also a matter of taste: many of our regular customers swear by our Sierra cacao from Ecuador. It's just as much a top-tier variety and works beautifully for your ceremonies too. Honestly, the best way to know is to try both varieties yourself and form your own opinion. :)
"Kakao ist bekannt für seine herzöffnenden und intuitionsfördernden Eigenschaften — ein Superfood mit über 300 aktiven Wirkstoffen."
What's actually in the cup
Beyond ritual, ceremonial cacao is nutritionally dense: it's naturally rich in magnesium, calcium, zinc and iron, alongside theobromine and other bioactive compounds that give cacao its characteristic warm, grounded, heart-opening effect — quite different from the sugar spike of a chocolate bar.
- Purity: 100% cacao mass, no additives, no refined sugar.
- Origin: from small-scale farming cooperatives in Ecuador and Peru.
- Format: blocks for grating or melting, or pre-portioned drops for easy dosing.
- Batch size: from 0.5 kg, at €60/kg — 0.5 kg makes roughly 12–25 ceremony servings.
Ready for your own cacao ceremony?
100% pure ceremonial cacao from Ecuador & Peru — sourced directly from small-scale farming cooperatives, no additives.
Shop ceremonial cacaoFrequently asked questions
What makes cacao "ceremonial grade"?
Ceremonial-grade cacao is 100% cacao mass and cacao butter with no sugar, milk powder, soy lecithin or other additives. It's typically single-origin, minimally processed, and chosen for depth of flavour and effect rather than sweetness — unlike baking or eating chocolate.
Which of your cacaos is best for a first ceremony?
The Sierra Ecuador Block is a gentle starting point thanks to its soft, mild profile. Facilitators working with experienced circles often prefer the more intense Criollo Peru Block or Drops.
How much ceremonial cacao do I need per person?
Most facilitators use 20–40 g per person, depending on intention and experience level. A 0.5 kg block yields roughly 12–25 servings.
Where does your cacao come from?
Our cacao comes from small-scale farming cooperatives in Ecuador and Peru — Sierra and Naranjal beans from Ecuador, and Criollo beans from Peru.