Tag: Eating cacao

Originating from the Amazon basin, the *Theobroma cacao* tree is famously known for its beans, but many are curious if it's actually safe to eat whole raw cacao beans. While technically edible, consuming them in their truly unprocessed state presents significant considerations regarding taste, digestibility, and potential health risks.

Ceremonial grade cacao is a minimally processed product made from whole cacao beans, preserving more of its potent, beneficial compounds than standard cocoa powder. Unlike highly processed chocolate, ceremonial cacao retains the natural fats and nutrients of the cacao bean, making it suitable for both mindful drinking and eating.

In ancient Mesoamerican cultures, cacao was a revered and sacred drink, not a casual hot beverage. The timing of its consumption was often intentional, leading many today to ask: should you eat before or after cacao to best absorb its potent benefits and profound energetic effects?