One of the most common questions I get is "how do you get your Cacao so smooth and delicious? When I make it it doesn't turn out like yours."

In the video below I will walk you through the process I use and my favourite additions to my cup, which can be scaled up in a pot for larger groups.

I have used the most universally available method of using a teaspoon to mix it into a deliciously smooth elixir for the heart, but you can also use a blender if you have one (for extra bubbly goodness)

Some lovely additions not in the video are:

Spices: Cardamom, Ginger, Nutmeg, Sea salt, Turmeric
Superfoods: Maca, Lucuma, Maya Nut, Medicinal mushroom powders/tincture/tea,
Milks: Coconut oil/butter/milk, Hazelnut/almond/oat milk, Rose/mint/ginger/cardamom tea,
Sweeteners: Maple syrup, Honey, Blended dates/date syrup

Feel into the list, see what calls you and start your experimenting from there. I suggest a pinch, a dash, a drop rather than exact measurements as it's all about following your intuition with it.

Dosage:

Here are some guidelines for Cacao dosage.

These are simply guidelines as:

All bodies are different, and have different needs and tolerances
Everyone is needing different things at different times. Some days you may need a full ceremonial dose, other days you’ll need a microdose
The best way to find your dose is to listen you your own inner wisdom.

All of the below doses are fine to take daily if you feel, or can be split into two doses throughout the day.

CAUTION: You CAN have too much Cacao, so play around with the dosage, but don’t go over 50g or you might get a very unpleasant migraine and nausea.

CEREMONIAL DOSE: 42.5g

For meditation, journeying, and diving deep. This dose is for when you have the space and time to give to ceremony.

CREATIVE/DAILY DOSE: 20-28g

For movement practices, creativity, focus & productivity and keeping it light. This is for when you want to bring some presence and heart to what you’re doing but don’t have the space and time for a full ceremony.

DREAMING DOSE/MICRODOSE: 8-10g

For dreaming practices and very gentle heart opening

HAPPY EXPLORING

If you need guidance about how to work with Cacao , please join me for an online or in person ceremony, 1:1 session, or Cacao course to learn more about working with this beautiful medicine of the Heart.

SOME PRECAUTIONS

WHO SHOULD TAKE LESS

Ceremonial doses of Cacao can have adverse side effects for some people. If any of the below applies to you, know that it is still perfectly safe for you, but we would need to start you with a slightly lower dose.

ANTI-DEPRESSANTS
The MAOIs in cacao can interact with some anti-depressant medication so ask your doctor if it’s ok for you. It's not dangerous, just unpleasant as it can create a migraine. Let me know if you're taking any mood altering medication as I may need to alter your dose, but you can absolutely still join. In general it will only effect those on a high dose or mixture of medications, and all should be fine on a slightly lowered dose of Cacao.

PREGNANCY/BREASTFEEDING
Cacao is safe and really good for developing babies but your dose may need to be lowered, depending on the stage so let me know if that applies to you.

HEART CONDITIONS
Cacao increases your heart rate 20-30% so if this would be a problem for you let me know and I will alter your dose. It's an amazing heart medicine but you may need to start slower with it.

If any of the above apply to you, feel free to contact me for dose recommendations

Video by the amazing Cornerpiece Video. Contact them for all your own video needs cornerpiecevideo.com

Cacao Recipes