I swear by the amazing plant of Theobroma Cacao “The food of the Gods”. It brings me so much vitality. Growing up, I wasn’t huge on chocolate candy despite being related to the Hershey Chocolate family. As I tapped into the meaning of my empathetic feelings I realized the chocolate in modern America carries too much karmic pain (involving slavery, & pollution) on the Earth for me to invest or consume. On the other side of my bloodline there is a stark contrast with the fact that my indigenous ancestors held Cacao in such high regard consuming it, and at one point even used it as currency.
It wasn’t until I went all the way to Costa Rica on a field study in 2016 that I was officially introduced to Cacao while visiting Porte Viejo Sarapiqui, Costa Rica on a farm surrounded by the rainforest.
In the Cacao presentation, we learned about the nomadic South Americans, native from the north Amazon that discovered Theobroma Cacao. At first, It was a really bitter fruit until the Aztecs changed the property of trees through fermentation of spit. The beans are dried before they are allowed to ferment for 7 days. They are then roasted and then grounded to cacao paste, which is the main ingredient in all chocolate products.
The Seven-day Cacao fermentation process
In 2017 I actually started an intimate relationship with Cacao when I started to participate in a Cacao Ceremonies held by my dear friends of Quinteassence. In the ceremony, I learned that it is considered love medicine that opens your heart chakra. On a physical heart level, cacao contains flavonoids that have been shown to lower blood pressure and risk of heart disease.
Click here to purchase from Quinteassence: Ceremonial Cacao Paste 1LB
There are several ways to prepare it, but mainly you just melt the cacao paste in water and add chili or cayenne, and different enhancing herbs and spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, and black pepper. See what flavors work for you or what you already have in your kitchen.
Jonathan the owner of Quinteassence guides the ceremonies with the intention to awaken the love within. He encourages and reminds you to love yourself first, to think of what brings love your heart, and then to pour your love into your cup of hot cacao. He sings to the cacao and welcomes you to join, it is a freestyle depending on the situation but usually, the hook is “You Are Love Medicine”. He ends the ceremony with a soul/eye gazing exercise where you pair up with someone, stare into each other eyes and tell each other what you love about each other one at a time. Powerful heart-opening exercise, it was hard for me not to blink and I definitely cried my first time.
The health benefits are undeniable, cacao is considered a superfood because it consists of an array of phytonutrients including high amounts of magnesium and sulfur. When I started consuming it most days I felt the difference in my body. The most apparent one being the natural source of energy. Cacao assists with focus, alertness and maintaining a positive mood. Studies report that it fights cancer, burns fat, improves muscle structure, and enhances nerve function.
But wait there’s more! Cacao is higher in antioxidants than tea, blueberries and goji berries. This means not only amazing for your insides but also your skincare and haircare. The antioxidants facilitate healing in the skin and premature aging. Consuming the cacao regularly as well as putting on a face mask with cacao in it will both do wonders for you. Resulting in better skin hydration, elastin production, texture, microcirculation, and oxygen saturation. There is also an anti-inflammatory factor, which reduces redness and blemishes. As well as shinier hair, and stronger nails.
I am passionate about and eternally grateful for cacao and all the uses it has served humanity. Often times at home I have personal self-love ceremonies, coming back to my heart center. Usually, I’ll journal on what’s on my heart, send love out energetically, dance, and any other activities that open my heart! It is also really special sharing ceremony in a small circle with a partner, friend, or a few loved ones.
I hope you get to experience a cup of love medicine soon!
Infinite Blessings,
~Mezamorphosis
Mezamorphosis 
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