What Is Ceremonial Cacao - FAQ
What is Ceremonial Cacao?
Ceremonial Cacao is Cacao that has been produced with the intention of being served for Ceremonial purposes.
Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao comes from strains of Cacao in Central and Madagascar that are intentionally produced for Ceremonial purposes.
Unlike the Cacao or cocoa powder that is sold in the Western World, Ceremonial Cacao is minimally processed under low temperatures to preserve its natural benefits.
Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao has been lovingly produced with the following requirements:
- for ceremonies
- minimal processing
- high quality beans
- sustainable farming practices
- fair trade
Cacao ceremonies have cultural roots in indigenous communities from Central and South America, and ceremonial Cacao is intentionally created for ritual use, paying homage to traditional practices of production and consumption.
What makes Cacao "Ceremonial"?
Intention.
Mindfulness.
Respect.
Ceremonial Cacao must be grown with the intention of ceremonial use. At every step of the Cacao's lifecycle, the purpose of Cacao must be grown intentionally for ceremonial use.
Ceremonial Cacao must be consumed with respect. Acknowledgement of the ancient Indigenous lineage of Cacao for ceremony is central to its use in modern context.
Ceremonial Cacao must be grown sustainably, using regenerative practices. If it is grown and processed by the traditional methods, it meets this requirement.
Ceremonial Cacao must be equitable. There must be fair compensation for the farmers and everyone involved in the cultivation process.
How much is too much Ceremonial Cacao?
"Too much" Ceremonial Cacao is consuming over 50g at one time, especially if you're just starting your Ceremonial Cacao practice.
A "normal" serving is considered to be 20-30g.
A "ceremonial" serving is considered to be 40-50g.
How often should I drink Ceremonial Cacao?
How often you decide to drink Ceremonial Cacao is your preference.
We drink "ceremonial" servings (42g) of Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao every morning as part of our daily practice (as an example).
You might drink Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao and receive guidance to drink Cacao once every other day, or even once a week. Listen to your inner guidance and feel into what's right for you.
Remember it's all about the intention.
But if you're drinking Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao daily like we do, you might decide having daily "normal" servings (20-30g) is right for you instead of having "ceremonial" servings (40-50g).
If you're only intending to drink Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao for Ceremonies, you might drink "ceremonial" servings 2-3 times per week.
Who should not drink Ceremonial Cacao?
Anyone that's currently taking any SSRI antidepressants, low blood pressure medication, or undergoing chemotherapy treatment should not drink more than a "normal" serving (20-30g). 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.
What happens when you drink too much Ceremonial Cacao?
When you drink too much Cacao, you may experience some mild discomfort.
Too much Cacao can cause headaches, nausea, diarrhea, and stomach disruptions due to its detoxifying effects.
Is Ceremonial Cacao a Psychedelic?
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.
I have Mamma's Cacao, how do I prepare my ceremonial cacao?
It's so great you gifted yourself Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao ❤️
Here is a blog post outlining our way of preparing Mamma's Ceremonial Cacao https://mammas.shop/blogs/blog/how-to-prepare-ceremonial-cacao