Mexican Ceremonial Cacao
Temporarily out of stock.
ETA: Early September.
Buy It With
Buy It With
Expect a stronger, more unique flavour and greater potency due to this rare and powerful cacao strain: criolla beans (almendra blanca, to be specific) are considered the crème de la crème of cacao.
Our single origin, award-winning, ceremonial whole bean Mexican cacao grows in Chiapas, in a town called Cacahoatán, which means “place of cacao” in the ancient Toltec language. Need we say more? :)
It has been internationally recognised by the highly prestigious Cacao of Excellence Awards in 2021 (GOLD Winner!) and in 2019. This award ranks cacao from all around the world based on quality, flavour and diversity.
It has been sourced ethically and directly from the producer, Josue, whose family has taken care of the cacao growing on their land for generations. No middle-man. No complex supply chain. We pay Josue stable, premium prices that are substantially higher than commodity market and Fair Trade prices, and which are protected from market fluctuations.
It is exclusively shade-grown using sustainable agroforestry systems.
CACAO CONTAINS CAFFEINE
Soma Cacao contains between 17 - 45mg caffeine per standard 25g serve (the equivalent of a cup of weak black tea). For more info, visit this page.
The Mayans called cacao “the food of the gods”. Along with its rich history of ritualistic and medicinal use, cacao’s crown jewel is theobromine: a gentle, long lasting stimulant that energises us like caffeine, without punishing us with brain-fog and jittery hands later in the day. It’s also rich in essential minerals and produces mood-boosting bioactive compounds - dopamine, serotonin, anandamide (the 'bliss molecule') and P.E.A, an antidepressant also known as the 'love drug'.
For more health benefits including scientific sources, visit our cacao benefits page.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2-3 Tbs Soma Cacao
- 110 mL hot water
- 50 mL milk (we like oat milk)
- 1-2 tsps sweetener (honey, coconut sugar, or maple syrup work great)
METHOD:
Blend all ingredients together using a blender, milk-frother, or whisk. Inhale, sip slowly, and savour!
Cacao powder (or cocoa powder) has undergone intensive processing to extract cacao butter from the paste. This leaves the cacao chalkier and more insipid, and also reduces the fat content, which is vital for the transmission of the neuro-active substances. Studies have proven the widely used method to produce cocoa powder (dutch-processing) significantly decreases the levels of compounds with positive physiological effects.
Our cacao contains the entire cacao bean (excluding the husk/shell). We add nothing, we take nothing away, maintaining the highest concentration of antioxidants, essential minerals, and bliss-inducing compounds.
As an energy source cacao feels more gentle, long-lasting and smooth, while coffee is intense, fast-acting and short-lived. This is because caffeine is a nervous system stimulant, and it produces cortisol, the stress hormone, which can lead to the jitters and anxiety. By contrast, cacao's active ingredient, theobromine, reduces cortisol. This helps us to relax. Cacao also stimulates the cardiovascular system, and opens our blood vessels. This helps blood flow more freely, sends more oxygen through the body, and lowers our blood pressure. We’ve elaborated on this in a recent blog post.
Ceremonial Cacao refers to a premium, pure cacao that is ethically sourced from small family-run sustainable farms.
Ceremonial cacao is made from a single ingredient, whole cacao beans, with nothing added or removed. This is what distinguishes is from cacao powder: a product that has the highly prized cacao butter removed.
Our cacao is minimally processed to retain the highest concentration of antioxidants, bliss-inducing compounds and essential minerals.
Our sourcing methods disrupt the commodity cacao supply chain, which notoriously cuts corners and is notoriously corrupt.
We offer 30-day returns and exchanges on unopened items — you’ll cover return postage for change of mind, and we’ll cover it if we made a mistake. Full details here: Returns & Exchanges Policy
Our cacao contains just one ingredient: 100% pure cacao paste. Nothing added, nothing removed.
For a breakdown of macronutrients visit our nutritional info page.
Peruvian and Solomon Islands Origins: Processed in facilities certified free from nuts, gluten, soy and dairy.
All Other Origins: While cacao is naturally free of common allergens, these products may contain traces of nuts, gluten, soy and dairy as they are processed in facilities that also handle these allergens.
You can find our shipping policy here.
PREMIUM CACAO: SEASONAL BY NATURE
Nothing in nature is standardised, and no batch of cacao is the same.
Like vintage wine or local honey, our cacao changes slightly from batch to batch shaped by season, farm & terroir, fermentation, and roasting profiles. These variations are the hallmark of premium, small-batch cacao.
Read more about why no two cups of Soma Cacao is the same here.
*There's a small chance your cacao may melt and resolidify during transit. Rest assured, it's still perfectly fine—just let it fully solidify at room temperature and chop it up. Many brands sell cacao this way - in a block - we simply shave it for a little added convenience.
Customers praise this ceremonial cacao for its rich, chocolatey flavor and smooth, creamy texture. Many describe it as "delicious" and "bold" with nutty, earthy, and fruity notes. Shoppers report sustained energy without coffee jitters, making it a popular coffee replacement. Some find the flavor profile more accessible than other varieties, though a few note it's stronger or less sweet than alternatives. High-quality and effective for daily rituals.
Beautiful creamy texture. My Solstice ritual was incredible and the cacao amazing 👏
Wow, wow, wow!
I’ve am addicted to my regular cup of Karkar but when I read the description of Mexican I had to try it. W.O.W. Deeply chocolatey and rich Mexican is perfect in every single way. I love it ‘black’, mixed with decaf coffee, a little vanilla and some MCT oil. Mexican is my new passion, I just hope there is enough to go round because I’m going to want more.
Loving my Mexican ceremonial cacao. I've been having it every day as an afternoon booster as I'm trying to ditch chocolate and sugary sweets.
It's been working!
Love the taste!
It ain’t bitter like the other cacao products.
You can really taste the difference of a quality cacao product. It has become my morning habit.
I love the richness and deep mess of the Mexican cacao. It’s been so long since I’ve had it, and the moment I tasted it I remembered why it was my favefor so long. It’s also nice when mixed half and half with a sweeter blend. Mmm delicious and brings such a big shift in my energy 💓
I purchased this pack for a cacao ceremony on the new moon in Leo just last week. It was superb! This flavour is quite creamy and for participants trying cacao for the first time it was a perfect intro. I made a big batch for 30 people and it came out so well. Will definitely be using again ☺️
I love all the flavours of Soma Cacao. I’ve tried them all and can’t decide which I prefer. They are smooth, creamy and so delicious. I can’t go a day without it.
This Mexican cacao is *perfection*. She’s bold, she’s sensual, she’s delicious, she’s nurturing. She’s beautiful.. Soma thank you. I drink it daily. Have perfected the art of making it and nothing compares. Reach out to me if you want me to show you how I prepare it so I can share it with the broader community.
Good cacao I loved
Love my Mexican Cacao
Something to look forward to everyday, my afternoon cacao
Mmmmm yum☕️
Utterly delicious!
Excellent flavour, this is my favourite cacao.
LOVE this cacao!! Have gifted to many of my friends!
I look forward to my Mexican Ceremonial Cacao, it is so yummy.
Love this cacao so much!
Great&rich taste
My favourite cacao for a healthy, chocolatey treat. Superb flavour, delicious when made with a tiny pinch of salt and a teaspoon of maple syrup. Bliss!
4 stars because packaging will go to landfill :(
this is by far the best internet trend i’ve caved to, i prepare it on goat milk with a sprinkle of salt and sometimes a splash of orange blossom water with honey stirred in at the end, absolutely mind blowing flavour and richness, it’s so satiating that it serves as a meal.
Hi Evangeline,
Thank you for this thoughtful and lovely review. Your recipe sounds DELICIOUS (and creative!).
We also hear your concern about the packaging. When we first developed it, Australia’s RedCycle soft plastics program was operating, and at the time this felt like the most responsible option available that also properly protected the cacao. Since then, soft plastic recycling has unfortunately become a much slower and more fragmented process, varying by state, which we know is frustrating (it is for us too).
At Soma we’re constantly trying to balance two important responsibilities: protecting the integrity and freshness of the cacao, and making the most environmentally responsible choices possible. Every order is enclosed in a plant-based, biodegradable mailer bag, wrapped snugly in compostable hex wrap or packed in a 100% recyclable cardboard box, sealed with bio-based tape made from renewable materials, and labelled with an ecolabel manufactured to EN13432 industrial composting standards, using adhesive that safely breaks down without leaving harmful residue.
We appreciate you raising this. Feedback like yours helps guide our priorities and where we place our energy and attention. And we’re so glad the cacao itself has found such a meaningful place in your life.
Absolutely delicious
love this one, such a healthy way to treat myself and not feel guilty
Mexican cacao is full of a complex flavor profile that often includes nutty, earthy, and fruity notes.
I love this flavour the best better than a coffee
10 Out 10 for me 😊
Absolutely delicious! The flavour is layered and delicate with the perfect sweetness. Very velvety.
First day of drinking peruvian cacao. Went to HITT this morning & yoga this afternoon. It is 630 PM and i feel so relaxed. I have been off coffees for a few weeks now and have been drinking other brand cacao but Soma is something else. You are missing out if ya not drinking this. Also, a wonderful heart opener.. a drink that energises you and relaxes you.. how good! Putting in my second order soon!
Basically has replaced coffee for me
Great quality and fair delivery time.
Amazing as always!!!
Ordered the Mexican as they were out of our favourite Kaka Island.
Not as delicious but filled in the gap. A lot more chochalaty.