Ceremonial cacao is cacao in its whole form, with its naturally occurring cacao butter retained for a rich, full-bodied experience.

While “ceremonial grade” is not a regulated certification, at Abundance it reflects the standard we hold our cacao to: exceptional single-origin cacao, thoughtfully sourced, carefully fermented and slow-dried, then stone-ground in small batches at low temperatures to preserve the integrity of the whole bean.

We also use the word ceremonial with respect for cacao’s ancestral roots. Cacao has held deep cultural and ceremonial significance for Indigenous peoples of Mesoamerica, including the Maya and Mexica (Aztec), for centuries. We honour this heritage while creating cacao for a modern, everyday ritual.

For us, ceremonial cacao is about provenance, craftsmanship, respect and intention.

Both come from the cacao bean, but how they are made is very different.

Conventional chocolate is typically more heavily processed and combined with ingredients such as sugar, milk and additional cacao butter. It is also commonly produced using higher temperatures.

Our Pure Ceremonial Cacao is 100% whole-bean cacao, with nothing added and nothing taken away. Its naturally occurring cacao butter remains intact, and we carefully stone-grind our cacao in small batches at controlled temperatures below 42°C. This slower, more delicate process helps preserve the cacao’s natural flavour, richness and nutritional integrity.

The result is richer, more intense and naturally more bitter than chocolate. While you can eat it as it is, ceremonial cacao is traditionally prepared as a drink — melted with warm water, then balanced with your choice of milk, warming spices and natural sweetness.

The difference lies in both what is retained and how the cacao is made.

Cacao powder is produced by pressing the cacao bean and removing much of its naturally occurring cacao butter, while hot chocolate is typically made from more heavily processed cocoa or chocolate combined with sugar and other ingredients.

Our Pure Ceremonial Cacao is 100% whole-bean cacao. Nothing is separated from the bean, and it is never roasted or exposed to high heat. Instead, our cacao is carefully fermented, slow-dried and traditionally stone-ground in small batches, with temperatures kept below 42°C throughout production.

It is a slower, more delicate process that takes time, but helps preserve the cacao’s naturally occurring cacao butter, rich flavour, texture and nutritional integrity.

The result is cacao in its whole form — rich, full-bodied and minimally processed, with no added ingredients and the freedom to prepare it exactly as you like.

Our ceremonial cacao is sourced from O’Payo in Waslala, northern Nicaragua, within the extraordinary Bosawás Biosphere Reserve — a UNESCO-protected rainforest and one of the most biodiverse regions in Central America.

Here, generations of smallholder farming families cultivate Trinitario cacao beneath the natural forest canopy, working in harmony with the surrounding ecosystem. The cacao is carefully fermented and slow-dried at origin before beginning its journey to become Abundance ceremonial cacao.

For us, knowing where our cacao comes from and respecting the people and landscapes behind it is fundamental to how we source.

You can learn more on our sourcing and certifications page.

We recommend starting with approximately 25g of ceremonial cacao per cup.

This creates a beautifully rich cacao while still being suited to an everyday ritual. From there, make it your own use a little less for a lighter cup or increase the amount if you prefer a richer, more intense cacao.

There is no need for perfection. The more you prepare cacao, the more you’ll discover the ritual that works for you.

Yes. Cacao naturally contains a small amount of caffeine, but its predominant naturally occurring stimulant is theobromine.

Theobromine interacts with the body differently from caffeine and is associated with the gentler, more sustained energy experience characteristic of ceremonial cacao.

This is why many people enjoy cacao in the morning or reach for it as an alternative to another coffee during the day.

Ceremonial cacao can be enjoyed at any time of day.

In the morning, enjoy for a gentler, more sustained energy, powered primarily by theobromine rather than caffeine. It also makes a beautiful alternative to an afternoon coffee, particularly during moments of focus or creativity.

In the evening, try a lighter serving for a warm, nourishing ritual. Cacao is naturally rich in minerals, including magnesium. As theobromine is mildly stimulating we recommend enjoying it earlier in the evening rather than immediately before bed.

The global cacao industry has long faced challenges around farmer livelihoods, supply-chain transparency and environmental impact, making it difficult to know where cacao comes from or who is behind it.

At Abundance, we believe quality goes beyond taste. We choose traceable, single-origin cacao grown by smallholder farming families, with respect for the people and landscapes behind every harvest.

Because exceptional cacao should be good for your cup — and considered at every step before it reaches you.

Yes. Every batch of Abundance ceremonial cacao is independently laboratory tested for microbiological safety.

For us, transparency is an essential part of quality. From carefully sourcing exceptional cacao to how it is processed and tested, we believe you should be able to trust what goes into every cup.

Our laboratory results are available to view, so you can enjoy your cacao with confidence in the care and standards behind it.

You can view with full transparency our independent lab testing reports and offical organic certification below:

• EU Organic Certification
• View Independent Laboratory Testing