How to prepare ceremonial cacao
So you’ve just purchased a block or a jar of some of Keith’s Ceremonial Grade Cacao, not what the heck do you do with it?
Whether you purchased a full block or a pre chopped jar, this is my recipe for a perfect cup!
Ingredients
2 TBSP of chopped cacao
6-8 oz of hot water
1/8 TSP of ground cinnamon
Dash of cayenne (optional)
Honey to sweeten, I like probably more than the ‘normal’ amount :) I’d say 1-2 TBSP
OPTIONAL ADAPTOGENIC INGREDIENTS: 1/4 tsp of Maca Root Powder, Chaga Mushroom Powder, Lions Mane Powder, or any of the AnimaMundi Adaptogenic Herbal powder blends! We have a beautiful selection to choose from in the shop!
Most important thing to remember is trust yourself! This is a base recipe that I like to use but by all means, feel free to omit or add things in. Evoke that kitchen witch inside of you! Have fun!
Blender method
Not my preferred way, but if you’re in a pinch of just making one cup, this will work, but honestly I suggest making it in a small saucepan on the stove. It makes all the difference.
Measure out your ingredients into a blender, I use my Ninja smoothie option, the size is perfect and blending gives the cacao a smooth frothy foam on top.
Add 6 - 8 oz of hot water. Make sure not to add BOILING water as to not kill of some of the properties. (Don’t stress too much about this.)
Blend for a few seconds until combined and frothy!
Add to your favorite mug and enjoy!
stovetop method
My preferred method for the ultimate creamy frothy goodness! - If making cacao for 3 or more people I suggest using this method
So if I’m to be honest, I’m not one to use exact measurements in the kitchen, more like a dash here, a splash there kind of thing… trust yourself and taste as you go!
Add water to a small saucepan. I usually find my mug I’m going to sip out of, and if I’m making 3 cups, fill the cup with water and pour into the saucepan 3 times… etc. (Again, don’t stress too much about this, you can always add more!)
Turn stovetop to med-low to med-high heat
Once water starts to steam, add cacao
Let simmer for a bit and use a handheld frother to combine (The handheld frother is KEY here, trust us. It’s a must have in your kitchen. We have rechargeable ones in the shop, saves on batteries, better for the environment, and just awesome)
Add in honey or sweetener to taste, and any other herbal powders or spices. Let simmer and continue using your handheld frother until well mixed & until a frothy consistency forms on top of your cacao
The trick is LOW & SLOW. Don’t rush. Otherwise you may end up with a grainy consistency and the cacao not quite melted. You can turn up the heat a bit, but stay about med-high heat if you do
DON’T LEAVE YOUR CACAO ALONE, once it starts to heat up and simmer, if it gets too hot it WILL bubble over and make a mess of your stove. I know from experience :)
Taste as you go, and adjust as necessesary! If it’s too thin of a consistency, add more cacao. If it’s too thick, add more water! Pour into mugs and enjoy!
How to chop your block of cacao
Set the mood. Light some incense, a candle, place some crystals around your cutting board. The intention you put into chopping the cacao adds to is sacredness. Make even chopping your cacao a ritual.
Take your block of cacao out of the package, you can either chop a small amount at a time or chop the whole block and store for future use.
I choose to chop the whole block and store in a mason jar in my cupboard. Be mindful not to keep in the sun, it will melt! I like to decorate my jar with pretty string, glass beads and leave a crystal on top. I think it keeps the good energy flowing!
Use a large cutting board and large chopping knife.
Hold the block of cacao on a bias, being mindful of your fingers slowly start to slice the block in slivers. Some blocks will crumble easier than others.
Store in a mason jar. It will store for up to 2 years. No need to store in the fridge because Keith’s Cacao is slightly fermented so it naturally has a longer shelf life that doesn’t require refrigeration.
And honestly, I’ve had jars of cacao that got lost in the back of my cupboard for a LONG time, and they were just fine :)