Ceremonial Cacao, Organic, 100% Zorzal, 8oz Flakes
Quality
- Sourced with care — Premium, single-origin, organic cacao from growers we know by name, heavy metal tested at the source.
- Crafted bean-to-bar in Vermont — Small batches with nothing added, nothing removed — full cacao butter intact.
- Taste the difference — Rich, smooth, and deeply chocolatey: earthy and nutty from the Dominican Republic, fudgy with subtle fruit from Uganda.t details here.
Certifications
- Organic - Independently third party tested by CCOF
- Heavy Metals tested safe - Independently third party tested by EuroFins
- High flavanols - Independently third party tested by EuroFins
Ingredients
Just 100% cacao. Nothing added or striped away. Single origin so natural flavor is protected. Low roasted to preserve nutrients
How to Make
- Half dose: 1oz. / 3 tbsp - Full dose 2oz. / 6 tbsp
- 5 oz (150ml) hot water
- Love 70% dark chocoalte? Add 1 tbsp. Try: Spices, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Vanilla and Milk / Mylk
- Frother it - Until it's velvety and crowned with foam
Why Drink Cacao?
Cacao is loaded with health benefits. Today, science confirms what ancient cultures always knew: cacao is one of the most powerful natural superfoods on earth.
We fully test our cacao for heavy metal and beneficial compounds like flavanols.
Click to see our eurofins test
Heart Healthy
563mg of flavanols per cup which support cardiovascular wellness and healthy blood flow.
Grounded, Jitter-Free Energy
Theobromine delivers a smooth, sustained lift without the spike and crash of caffeine.
Natural Mood Enhancer
Contains serotonin, PEA, and anandamide (the "bliss molecule") to support feelings of joy and connection.
Heavy Metals Tested
For both lead and cadmium we are below the EU limit and CA prop 65
Single Origin
Reserva Zorzal, Dominican Republic
Grown in a bird sanctuary in the mountains of the Dominican Republic
Our Dominican cacao comes from Reserva Zorzal, a cacao farm and wildlife reserve. Named for the zorzal — the migratory thrush whose habitat the land was set aside to protect. Cacao grows here in the shade of protected forest, which is exactly what makes it special: the trees that shelter the birds also shelter the beans, slowing the cherries' ripening and deepening their flavor. Beans are fermented and sun-dried on-site by the cooperative, then shipped to our Vermont shop where we roast and craft them in small batches. The result is a cacao that carries its origin in every sip — a piece of a forest that exists because cacao and you gave it a reason to.
Flavor Notes: Earthy Chocolate · Nutty · Medium Bitter
Warm, nostalgic, and grounding. It taps that childhood hot chocolate memory, then deepens it.
Customer Reviews
Shop all cacao
We ethically source from all over the world. Browse our premium selection of cacao from the Dominican Republic, Uganda, and more.
What is Ceremonial Grade Cacao?
It's pure cacao in its most whole form. The entire bean, gently roasted and stone ground into a rich paste, with nothing added and nothing removed. Unlike cocoa powder or chocolate, which are processed, defatted, and sweetened until little of the plant remains. Ceremonial cacao keeps all of its natural nutrients and cacao butter intact. That's what makes it a true nutritional powerhouse: a rich source of antioxidants, iron, magnesium, and potassium, plus theobromine for smooth, jitter free energy without the crash of coffee. It's the difference between consuming chocolate and actually experiencing cacao. Cultivated with intention, consumed with love.
Dosage Suggestions
Choose a serving size that matches your intention.
Daily dose
- 1oz. / 3 tbsp of cacao
- 5 oz water
- Sweeten to taste
- Try: Spices, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Vanilla and Milk / Mylk
- Frother it
For a gentle morning ritual.
Ceremony dose
- 2oz. / 6 tbsp of cacao
- 5 oz water
- Sweeten to taste
- Try: Spices, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Vanilla and Milk / Mylk
- Frother it
For deeper experience
Hand Crafted in Vermont
From farm to cup, every step matters.
Harvest
Cacao is harvested with care.
Ferment
Beans are fermented to develop flavor.
Dry
Sun drying prepares cacao for roasting.
Roast
Small batches are roasted for depth.
Grind
Finished cacao is ground and packaged.
Our Mission
Share the love in everything we do
15 years ago we had our first experience with ceremonial cacao in Costa Rica. We felt an instant connection with this plant medicine and have been working with it since. Finding it to be a great teacher & facilitator, as well as an integral part of a healthy diet. After working with this medicine more deeply and visiting the communities in Mesoamerica we decided that we wanted to share this beautiful plant and its healing properties with people. Embue cacao was born as our way of helping spread the cacao love.
Frequently asked questions
Will it melt in shipping?
Cacao is sturdier than chocolate, but in peak summer heat it can soften and melt above 80-85F. It's perfectly fine to use if it does, there is no health concerns. Just place in freezer to harden, then chop up and place back in the bag.
How should I store it, and how long does it last?
Keep it in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. If it melt a little place in freezer for a little bit. Has a two year shelf life.
Zorzal or Semuliki — what's the difference?
Zorzal (Dominican Republic) is earthy, nutty, and grounding. Semuliki (Uganda) is rich, fudgy, and smooth with a subtle tang. Can't decide? Many customers try both to see which one they like.
Does it have caffeine? Will it make me jittery?
There's only a trace of caffeine. The energy comes from theobromine — a gentle, sustained lift that opens you up without the spike-and-crash of coffee. Most people find it calming and focused rather than wired.
How is this different from cocoa or a chocolate bar?
Ours is 100% pure cacao — the whole bean, nothing added, nothing removed. Cocoa powder is defatted and ultra processed; chocolate bars are loaded with sugar, seed oils and chemicals. Ceremonial cacao keeps all the cacao butter, nutrients, and natural compounds intact.
Is it really organic?
Yes — independently certified organic by CCOF, single-origin, and sourced Beyond Fair Trade directly from the farmers who grow it. - https://ccof.org/directory-member/embue-cacao-inc-dba-embue-cacao/
Flakes or bar? Which should I get?
Flakes dissolve fast and are easiest for a quick daily cup. The bar lets you shave your exact dose and adds a ritual step many people love. Same cacao, just your preference.
Are you heavy metals tested
Yes, see our EuroFins test. For level below Prop 65 - Here
Do I need to do a ceremony to drink it?
Not at all. Plenty of customers drink it daily as a coffee replacement, in smoothies, or as a treat. The ceremony is optional — the quality is the same either way.