In the last 40 years there have been incredible findings that expand and clarify the use of cacao in the ancient cultures of what's now the Western Hemisphere.
In order to continue revealing the difference between traditionally prepared cacao and other types of chocolate and "cocoa" products, we had Heart of the Earth ceremonial cacao tested for polyphenol antioxidants. The results amazed us!
On February 25, 2023, we had a virtual meet-and-greet with Ixquik Lopez Zavala, the leader of the Utz K'aslemal cacao collective that makes La Noche cacao. Here you can watch the video recording.
Guatemala is a captivating and complex country where more and more people are traveling to learn about ceremonial cacao. Here are our tips for ensuring a great visit!
How do you know if cacao and chocolate are free of mold and mycotoxins? In order to make such claims there has to be proper laboratory testing. So that's what we did.
There’s very little data out there about the content of caffeine and theobromine in 100% pure, artisanal, minimally processed cacao. So in 2022 we had all our cacao varieties tested. The results surprised us, to say the least.
Recently a lot of concern has arisen about the presence of heavy metals in chocolate and cacao. But to see the full truth, we have to look at the actual numbers to build a meaningful context.
It's possible to share cacao outside of its historical context in a way that's ethical, responsible, and respectful of the originary stewards of cacao. Yet it's a nuanced matter that takes careful consideration and, sometimes, training.
We are thrilled to announce that we now have a FREE app on both iOS and Android! You can download it now for a more convenient experience ordering cacao, accessing your courses, and more.