Maretai Organic Cacao Paste / Cocoa Paste - Ceremonial - 600gm

The Maretai Cacao Paste is the real deal - it's the original, unadulterated or modified cacao grown and harvested in the traditional way. Cacao Paste is also known as cacao liquor, cacao or cocoa mass.

• Organic Certified
• Gluten free
• Ground Cacao Nibs
• Vegan
• Kosher Certified
• Fairly Traded
• GMO Free

Maretai’s single origin Cacao is obtained from premium Criollo cacao beans grown in Amazonian Peru, an ancient environment of the sacred Theobroma Cacao tree.

Inca, Quechua, Olmec and Mayan civilizations that once flourished in this part of the world consumed cacao as a sacred beverage. This was as far back as 3000 years ago.

This part of the world produces the exceptional cacao beans favoured by the best-known chocolate makers in the world. The criollo beans are ground into a paste used to make a beverage used in Cacao Ceremonies in Australia and New Zealand.

Cacao has been considered a sacred plant in ancient Mesoamerican civilizations. Cacao was a central element in religious and spiritual rituals of these and other ancient Mesoamerican civilizations.

Modern cacao ceremonies may often incorporate elements of Mesoamerican rituals as well as shamanic healing meditation.

In these ceremonies, a pure form of cacao was used – cacao paste – which is obtained by grinding the cacao beans into a paste and then mixing with hot water. This beverage could be spiced with cinnamon, chili, pepper and other spices.

Pure cacao is high in antioxidants and minerals such as iron, magnesium, calcium and also contains a type of stimulant called Theobromine.

Our cacao is grown in its original habitat using sustainable farming practices and promoting favorable living conditions for farmers and their families. This cacao is cultivated in its natural habitat in the Amazon region of Peru. Single origin Criollo variety cacao that can be used in contemporary cacao ceremonies.

Cacao Paste is produced by grinding the Cacao Nibs to a smooth liquid state, hence the name 'liquor', however no alcohol is present. Once solidified it becomes a 100% pure food ingredient that can be combined with a variety of spices to create a potent ceremonial beverage.

Ceremonial grade cacao should meet the below:

• Cacao should be grown using sustainable farming practices and promoting favorable life conditions for farmers and their families. Being a sacred plant, the spiritual energy of the bean starts with the cultivation of the pod and positive energy present from the cacao plant to the final product to be used at a ceremony.
• The cacao paste used to make the sacred beverage should be in its pure form. This means no heat in processing, and no additives or preservatives should be present.
• Country of origin should be in the geographical area of the ancient Mesoamerican civilizations (i.e. Peru, Ecuador, Mexico)
• Also the cacao should be preferably Criollo Cacao being one of the original varieties used by Mesoamerican cultures.