DUE TO SUPPLY LIMITATIONS, 1LB BLOCKS AND PRE-CHOPPED BAGS ARE CURRENTLY LIMITED TO 2 PER CUSTOMER.
A SOUL LIFT CACAO EXCLUSIVE! Pacalá is a new variety from the Utz K'aslemal collective, who carry a lineage of wisdom on how cacao fits into the Mayan Cosmovision (see their course on it here). The cacao is grown in nothern Guatemala, and the dried seeds are taken to their family land in Sololá to be roasted over wood fire and peeled by hand. They use a hand-crank stone grinder, creating a slightly coarse texture in the traditional style.
That means there are no machines used in the preparation of this cacao, making it a "top shelf" option. PROFILE: crisp flavor, light malty notes. Utz K'aslemal means "good living in a useful existence," and that's the intention the family puts into the cacao before they share it. *Our labels and branding are approved by the producers, and we have their consent to share the cacao for the betterment of humanity.*
WHY IS THE PRICE DIFFERENT?
For years, the true value of ceremonial cacao has been artificially suppressed. Black market resales and factory-made imitations flooded the market, driving down prices and undermining the indigenous communities who have carried cacao’s sacred traditions forward. In the past we tried to match those prices, but as a legal food business trying to maintain our high ethics, we barely covered our operational costs.
Soul Lift Cacao is proud to lead a historic correction by restoring ceremonial cacao to its rightful worth. This new pricing honors the true labor, lineage, and spirit behind every seed — and helps protect the future of this sacred medicine by ensuring that Soul Lift Cacao can keep serving you and the mission. For every purchase from this first limited batch, we will include a Letter of Provenance signed by Soul Lift Cacao founder Nick Meador, with the origin story, ethical trade statement, and an invocation from the family.
ON TESTING
We are awaiting test results on caffeine and theobromine testing. But this cacao was tested for heavy metals and mold and found to be safe!
MORE ABOUT CACAO
Cacao has been considered sacred in Mesoamerica for thousands of years, long before the chocolate industry altered the original treasure. It has numerous superfood benefits, and can also deepen introspective practices like yoga and meditation.
Every purchase of this cacao supports Mayan indigenous people through ethical direct trade, and helps them preserve their spiritual traditions and values. For more info about us and our partners, visit our Sources page.
DIRECTIONS
To make a drink of ceremonial cacao, finely chop the cacao. Measure 1/4 cup ground cacao and 6-8 oz of hot water (steaming but not boiling). Mix with a blender (with caution!), handheld frother, or other agitator to fully melt the cacao. Optional: Add a dash of cayenne pepper and natural sweetener to taste. Enjoy!
Cacao can also be added to smoothies, oatmeal, ice cream, and other foods. Experiment with making your own chocolates or bliss balls!
GLUTEN-FREE • VEGAN • SUGAR-FREE • SOY-FREE • NUT-FREE • GMO-FREE • PLANT-BASED • SLAVE-FREE
Product of Guatemala
Ingredients: Pure ceremonial cacao paste (Theobroma cacao)
Storage info: Keep in a cool, dry, dark place. Refrigeration not required.
Heavy metal content: The current batch of 1lb pre-chopped cacao was tested for heavy metals by a third-party laboratory and found to be in a safe range for lead as advised by the FDA, and for cadmium as advised by the EU Commission, in parts per million (ppm). Please also see our FAQ post on heavy metals in cacao and chocolate.
*NOTE: Packaging may differ slightly from the photos here.
*Some melting of cacao paste may occur during shipping. This isn’t a problem in terms of the quality of the cacao, but the shape may be different than pictured.
*Color and pattern variation is natural for pure artisanal cacao. Smooth white areas are most likely the natural cacao butter. Reach out if you have any questions.
*Please allow up to 7 business days from the time you place your order until you need your cacao to arrive. Thanks for understanding that we cannot process expedited orders at this time.
