Frequently Asked Questions

Ritual cacao has a cultural history going back thousands of years — as a strengthening and sacred drink. Known as the “drink of the gods” among the indigenous peoples of Central America, as a source of energy for Aztec warriors, as a fasting aid used by European monks, and now as a beloved treat and cacao bliss in our modern times. Especially fine cacao varieties are ideal for rituals, meditation, and relaxation, thanks to their unique combination of precious nutrients and naturally uplifting properties.

Ritual cacao is cacao in its purest form. It consists of 100% cacao mass and is gently processed to preserve its valuable nutrients and active compounds, which can have a heart-opening effect. Our cacaos are fine cacao varieties (also called “fine flavor cacao”). Our HEART CACAO is a Criollo Blanco variety from Peru. Also from Peru, our BODY CACAO is a blend of Criollo and Trinitario cacao, cultivated by smallholder farmers in the Juanjui region. Our FLOW CACAO is a Criollo variety grown in Nicaragua.

We set out on a journey to find the most original and exquisite cacao varieties - and to share them with you. Our HEART CACAO comes from northern Peru, sourced from the Norandino farmers’ cooperative. This cooperative was formed to take on social responsibility in the region and promote ecological farming practices. On our “100% Criollo Blanco” page, you can find more in-depth information about cultivation and harvesting. Our BODY CACAO comes from the Juanjui region in the heart of Peru. This fine cacao is organically grown by smallholder farmers in the area. Our FLOW CACAO comes from Nicaragua and is part of a tree-planting project by Ecosia.org. You can learn more about this cacao in our blog post “Our FLOW CACAO – Inner Balance, Enjoyment & Planting Cacao Trees.” If you’d like to dive deeper into the history of cacao, we recommend our blog post “Ritual Cacao – The Brown Gold”.

Let’s start with what they have in common ;-) HEART CACAO, BODY CACAO and FLOW CACAO are all fine flavor ritual cacaos. They come from Peru and Nicaragua and are made from 100% pure cacao mass.

Where they differ is in their effect and taste - which makes each of them suitable for different moments and intentions. We recommend our HEART CACAO for sensual meditations, deep relaxation, and cozy feel-good moments. It’s perfect for traveling inward—you’ll feel awake yet calm. With its balanced nature and gentle intensity, it’s a beautiful cacao for beginners. Our BODY CACAO is great for movement, dance, and dynamic meditations. It supports anything that helps you get into your body and feel grounded. Our FLOW CACAO is ideal for soft meditations, gentle movement, and finding inner balance. Go with the flow!

In terms of taste: HEART CACAO has a delicate fruity note, slightly tangy and fresh. FLOW CACAO is incredibly smooth with a delicious, nutty aroma reminiscent of hazelnuts. BODY CACAO offers a full-bodied chocolate flavor with a subtle spiced note - like oriental herbs. It carries more masculine energy and is all about activation, while HEART CACAO and FLOW CACAO reflect more of the feminine and introspective qualities.

These are our personal experiences with our cacaos—but of course, your experience might be completely different. That’s why we always recommend: just give them a try and see which cacao feels right for you, in which moment and in what dosage.

As a starter package, we recommend our Ritual Set. It includes everything you need for your own cacao ritual ♥ Inside the set, you’ll find: 250g of heart-opening HEART CACAO from Peru, 50g of our spice blend “Mindful Bliss”, 1 stick of Palo Santo for smudging and energetic cleansing. We’ve also included helpful tips for creating your own cacao ritual at home, cacao preparation guidance, and dosage recommendations to support your journey.

Yes, our cacaos are certified organic. We also place great importance on fair working conditions and fair wages. You can read more about this in our blog article “Cacao farmers take responsibility. Us too!”. Especially when working with cacao in rituals, it’s essential to choose a product that is not only energetically high-quality, but also fair and ethically sourced.

One thing we can promise you - it's definitely not because of the quality :-) We maintain high standards, ensure fair supply chains, and support fair wages. We're fortunate to source our cacao directly from Peru, which means there are no middlemen or extra costs involved. We pass this advantage directly on to you. Our goal is to make this heart medicine accessible to as many people as possible. You can learn more in our blog posts “How we source our cacao and pass it on to you” and “Cacao with heart: Our commitment”.

You don’t always need a big ritual to enjoy cacao. You can simply take a mindful moment in your day and enjoy a cup of cacao. We recommend that you take the time to really feel into yourself and connect with the cacao - mindfully and with presence. ♥

Cacao isn’t just rich in nutrients—it also contains a number of active compounds. Among the most relevant are theobromine, theophylline, caffeine, and epicatechin. Theobromine and theophylline are methylxanthines that help dilate blood vessels, allowing the body to absorb more oxygen. Epicatechin primarily stimulates areas in the brain associated with perception and memory. Cacao also contains several neurotransmitters - biogenic amines - that support the production of “happy chemicals” in the brain, such as serotonin, endorphins, and dopamine. The list of compounds and effects in cacao is much longer, and researchers are still discovering new ones. If you’d like to dive deeper into this topic, we recommend our Cacao Ritual Teacher Training.

Yes, side effects are possible - though they are rare and usually mild. Cacao can dehydrate the body, which may lead to headaches. Because it contains natural caffeine, it can also cause restlessness or sleep disturbances. Mild stomach cramps or nausea are also possible, but uncommon. Most of these effects can be minimized - or avoided entirely - with proper use. In general, we recommend drinking plenty of water after enjoying cacao. If you're sensitive to caffeine or have trouble sleeping, it's best to avoid cacao within 6 hours of going to bed. If you experience cramps, in our experience this is often related to energetic processes. In these moments, it can help to relax into the arising emotions, deepen your breath, and allow the feelings to flow.

No. Our cacaos do not contain any traces of nuts or tree nuts. From the fruit to the finished cacao mass, everything is processed in specially dedicated containers and mills designed solely for cacao.

Yes, we test every new batch of our cacao for heavy metals, including cadmium. We want to offer you only the very best. ♥

Due to its higher natural caffeine content (28mg per 100ml), we do not recommend drinking this cacao during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. If you still wish to enjoy cacao and have concerns, we recommend speaking with your doctor or healthcare provider first. You can also find more information in our blog article “Cacao During Pregnancy”.

Due to its higher natural caffeine content (28mg per 100ml), we do not recommend giving our cacao to children in ceremonial doses. If you’d like to offer cacao to children, it should be in a very small amount - for example, 10g of cacao in 200ml of liquid.

Our cacao has a shelf life of 2 years when stored in a cool, dry, and dark place. Its effect remains fully intact during this time.

No worries - the quality, effect, and aroma of the cacao remain fully intact. Only at temperatures above 50°C (122°F) can its properties be affected. That’s also why we recommend preparing cacao at below 50°C. Once our packages are handed over to the shipping service, we unfortunately have no control over storage or delivery conditions.

Cacao is a natural product, and we aim to offer it to you in the most unprocessed form possible. When your cacao is prepared for shipping, it’s broken down by hand, which means the size and shape of the pieces may vary from batch to batch. Sometimes, you might notice a white coating on some pieces. This is cacao butter, which is still fully present in our cacao and a sign of the gentle, natural processing it undergoes.

For one cup of cacao, we recommend using 200ml of plant-based milk (such as oat, coconut, or almond) or water. Add your desired amount of cacao (e.g. a ceremonial dose of 30g) to the warm but not boiling liquid. The most important thing is not to overheat the cacao. It should be gently warmed, not cooked. On a regular stovetop, this means heat setting 2–3. Stir until the cacao mass is completely dissolved—we recommend using a whisk for best results. You can find more tips in our guide “How to Prepare Cacao”.

Maybe you’ve heard that 42g is the standard ceremonial dose for ritual cacao? Well - the truth is, cacao works a little differently for everyone. It also depends on how you’re feeling that day and the intention or occasion for drinking this heart medicine. Over the years, we’ve experimented a lot ourselves and prepared cacao for thousands of people—gathering valuable experience along the way. That’s why we’ve created a guide with different dosage suggestions for different occasions, which you can find in our blog post “Dosage Recommendations for Ritual Cacao”.

We recommend a mindful approach when working with cacao, so that you can tune into your body and notice when it has had enough. As a general guideline, we suggest no more than one cup with 30g of cacao per day. If you ever feel like you’ve had too much, drink plenty of water and eat something grounding - like bread or potatoes.

Of course, you can prepare your cacao with cow’s milk. However, we recommend using a plant-based milk or water instead. Why? Because cacao contains more antioxidants than blueberries, pomegranates, cranberries, or grapes. Antioxidants help slow down or prevent oxidation in the body - which is why cacao can support relaxation, reduce inflammation, and positively influence the aging process. Cow’s milk, however, blocks the absorption of these antioxidants. So, if you’d like to enjoy the full health benefits of cacao, we suggest preparing it with oat, coconut, or almond milk - or simply with water.

Absolutely! While the Maya traditionally drank their cacao warm, the Inca preferred it cold. The heart-opening effect is there - whether it’s warm or cold :-)

That really depends on the person. You don’t always need a big ritual to enjoy our cacao—but we do recommend drinking it mindfully and with intention. Take a little time for yourself when you drink it - this helps you tune in and notice how much cacao feels good for your body, and how often it suits you.

Every ritual is different and depends on the intention or theme that's been set. At the beginning of each ritual, cacao is shared and a personal intention is set. The purpose is to help you connect more deeply with your inner self. Most rituals include a guided meditation, and afterward there may be singing, dancing, or conscious connection practices - all designed to help you bring your heart and mind into alignment.

If you book a cacao ritual - whether online or in person - make sure to read the description. It will tell you exactly what’s included beyond drinking cacao. We currently offer video, audio, and live online rituals on various themes, and we’re always creating new ones to share with you.

We regularly offer online live rituals on a variety of themes. Just check our shop from time to time to see which rituals are currently available. Once you’ve purchased an online live ritual, you’ll receive an order confirmation. Then, 2–3 days before the ritual, we’ll send you the access link along with more details on how to prepare and what to expect during the ritual.

After purchasing one of our video cacao rituals, you’ll receive an email with access to the video, in addition to your order confirmation and invoice emails. In that email, simply click the “Go to Ritual” button. You’ll be redirected to a login page - just enter your name and email address, then click “Watch”. And you're ready to begin your video cacao ritual.

The link to your purchased video cacao ritual is valid for 365 days from the date of purchase.

Yes, absolutely :-) Ritual cacao opens the heart, body, and mind, offering a beautiful and loving gateway to your inner world. That said - you can still do our rituals without drinking cacao. On each ritual’s detail page, you’ll find the ritual flow, where you can see that connecting with the spirit of cacao is just one part of a larger journey.

To prepare, we recommend not eating for about 3 hours before the ritual and avoiding coffee on that day. Find a cozy, comfortable space where you feel at ease. Surround yourself with pillows and blankets, create a calm atmosphere, and make it your personal sacred space. Turn off your phone and make sure you won’t be disturbed. You can find more tips in our guide “How to Create Your Cacao Ritual at Home”.

If you are taking psychiatric medication or other medications, or if you have serious heart conditions, please make sure to let us know before the ritual. We’ll discuss with you individually whether ritual cacao is suitable for you - and if so, in what dosage.

Yes, absolutely! We’re happy to come to your home or workplace. Cacaoloves.me offers rituals for all kinds of occasions - weddings, corporate events, birthday celebrations, bachelorette parties, holiday gatherings, and more. We’ll work with you to create a custom ritual that perfectly fits your special event. Feel free to send us your request at: l.glapa(at)cacaoloves.me

Yes, absolutely - you can order larger quantities of cacao from us. We offer special rates for wholesalers as well as full cacao blocks starting from 25kg. For details and pricing, please reach out to Leni at: l.glapa(at)cacaoloves.me

You’re considered a business customer with a minimum order of 20 bags of 500g cacao or one 25kg cacao block. For inquiries, please email us at: l.glapa(at)cacaoloves.me

Shipping costs for tracked packages depend on the product weight and are as follows:

Within Germany:
up to 1 kg > €3.90
up to 2 kg > €5.90
up to 5 kg > free
up to 7 kg > free
up to 25 kg > by arrangement

Within the EU:
up to 1 kg > €14.50
up to 2 kg > €14.50
up to 5 kg > €16.90
up to 7 kg > €20.90
up to 25 kg > by arrangement

To Switzerland:
up to 1 kg > €14.50
up to 2 kg > €14.50
up to 5 kg > €26.90
up to 7 kg > €34.90
up to 25 kg > by arrangement

Free shipping is available for orders over:

• €90.00 within Germany
• €300.00 to Switzerland
• €300.00 to Austria & the EU

Shipping costs for wholesale orders are calculated individually.

Delivery time: 2–4 business days within Germany and 5–10 business days to Austria and Switzerland. Please note: Seasonal delays may occur.

No shipping costs apply when purchasing event tickets. The order confirmation serves as your ticket.

Our shipping is climate-friendly and CO₂-neutral.

Returns: The cancellation period is 14 days. Return shipping costs are covered by the buyer.

Please note: Pickup in person in Berlin is currently not available.

At the moment, we ship our cacao to countries within the EU and to Switzerland.

After you place your order, shipping takes place within 24 hours from Monday to Friday. In most cases, we ship your package on the same day if the order is placed before 2 PM. The delivery time is 2–4 days within Germany. For Austria and Switzerland, the delivery time is 5–10 days. However, delivery times depend on DHL, and unfortunately we have no influence over any delays caused by the shipping provider.

We keep you informed at every step of your order. You’ll receive an order confirmation email, a shipping confirmation with a tracking link, and a delivery notification on the day your package is set to arrive.

Our shop offers the following payment methods:

• Credit Card
• Paypal
• Sofort via Klarna
• Bank transfer (available for business customers only)

You can find more detailed information about the available payment methods here.

To create an account, click on the account icon at the top of the page and select “Create Account.” Fill in your first name, last name, and email address. Then choose a password and click on the “Create” button. You’ll find more information about data storage and processing in our Privacy Policy. After registering, you’ll receive an email with a link to activate your account.

To change your address, first log in to your customer account. In your account overview, click on “View addresses”. Find the address you’d like to update and click “Edit”. Make your changes and then click “Update address”.

If you’ve forgotten your customer account password, click on the account icon at the top of the page. Below the login form, click on “Forgot your password?” Enter the email address you used to create your account and click “Submit”. We’ll send you an email with a link to reset your password. Simply follow the link and choose a new, secure password.

You can sign up for our Cacaoletter - our lovingly named cacao newsletter - at the bottom of our homepage in the footer. Just enter your email address and click the “Sign up” button. You’ll then receive an email - click “Confirm” in that message to complete your subscription.

Please note: The Cacaoletter is currently available in German only.

Our intention is to send out the Cacaoletter once a month, gently guiding you through the year. In each edition, you’ll find inspiring insights about the food of the goddesses and gods, news about our cacao rituals, and behind-the-scenes glimpses into our projects and visions. As a subscriber, you’ll also receive exclusive ritual guides and be among the first to hear about new cacao rituals.

Please note: The Cacaoletter is currently available in German only.

At the bottom of every Cacaoletter, you’ll find an “Unsubscribe” button that lets you easily and quickly unsubscribe from our newsletter. Of course, we’re sad to see you go. If you’d like to share the reason why, feel free to email us at hello(at)cacaoloves.me. We’re truly grateful for any feedback - because who could we learn from better than our own community? ♥

Cacaoloves.me stands for CONNECTION - both within and without. Our mission is to support you in finding a deeper connection to your heart and your inner world. We aim to bring together people who long to live in harmony - with themselves, with nature, and with one another. People who support each other and are willing to take responsibility for their own growth. We envision a space where it feels safe to feel and to show up fully - with all your wounds, your softness, and your strength. To support this, we work with the heart-opening and transformative power of cacao, ceremonies, and rituals. ♥

With every step we take at Cacaoloves.me, we strive to become more sustainable. We’re already happy to offer you climate-neutral cacao import and shipping. The greenhouse gas emissions generated through logistics are offset in cooperation with Pachama - by planting trees in Peru that store CO₂ on our behalf. To support social sustainability and empower cacao farmers locally, we pay more than fair trade—we add an extra 33% on top of the price. You can read more about this in our blog post: “Cacao farmers take responsibility. Us too!”

We’re always happy to hear from you! Feel free to send us your feedback anytime at hello(at)cacaoloves.me

If you have a question, the best way to reach us is by email at hello(at)cacaoloves.me. We’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Yes, absolutely! :-) You can find us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube.