100% pure ceremonial cacao from Guatemala
from our heart to yours
From bean to paste - our pure, organic cacao is harvested and hand-processed in Guatemala by local farmers who care for their plants in the ways of ancient Mayan tradition. This means deep appreciation for the sacred medicine of cacao and a lot of love in the process.
The cacao beans of both origins are fermented in banana leaves, before they make their way to San Marcos, Lake Atítlan where they are distributed between 6 women’s collectives who work on roasting, peeling and grinding the cacao by hand into the end product - a block of cacao full of love and intention.
With your purchase you support women in Guatemala building their own business through their work with cacao, allowing them to work from home while looking after their children, with flexible work hours and a stable income to support their families.
organic. ethically sourced. 100% pure. handcrafted by women.
two different origins:
Entre Nubes:
Entre Nubes means “between clouds”, a beautiful name that reflects the misty mountain valleys of Alta Verapaz, where this special cacao is grown.
Flavor profile:
Entre Nubes holds a more earthy, rich, and deeply grounding profile. With its comforting depth, this origin invites you to slow down and connect inward. It pairs beautifully with quiet moments of reflection - like journaling, meditating, reading or simply enjoying stillness.
It’s a cacao that holds you, reminding you to pause and be present.
Fermentation:
Done the traditional way, for 9-11 days in large wooden boxes, helping to unlock the complex flavors of this unique cacao.
Caoba:
A cacao origin from Rio Dulce, Guatemala with deep historical roots, named after the majestic mahogany trees (Caoba in Spanish) that thrive in the lush, tropical lowlands of Rio Dulce. This land has been home to cacao cultivation for over a thousand years, making each bean a link to ancient traditions.
Flavor profile:
This cacao has a soft sweetness and a gently uplifting quality. It carries notes that feel bright and expansive, making it an ideal companion for moments of movement, inspiration, or clarity. Whether you’re flowing through a yoga practice, diving into a creative project or simply easing into the day with intention, Caoba brings a gentle spark to your ritual.
Fermentation:
A carefully managed process in cedar boxes lined with banana leaves, following a 48-48-24-24 hour cycle to bring out its rich, balanced flavors.
Prices (both origins):
block of 1 lb/454g: 49€
the process of
cacao awänímä
behind the scenes:
Our cacao is not just cacao. It is special, from how the cacao plants are grown and treated to the process of how the beans become the beautiful blocks of cacao that you’re holding in your hands.
Every single cacao bean is roasted, peeled and crafted into paste with love and intention. As Paola, one of the leaders of the women’s collectives told us when we visited her at her house close to San Marcos in Guatemala: “The cacao feels the energy we treat it with. If I’m in a bad mood, I don’t work with cacao. I let it pass first, to then continue my work later with the pure intention of love and appreciation towards the sacred medicine.”
… and you can taste this in every cup of cacao awänímä.
In March 2025 we got to visit the women of the cacao collective close to San Marcos in Guatemala. How beautiful to tap into the world of cacao crafting in the traditional Mayan way! Paola and her team showed us how they roast the cacao seeds on fire, peel each one by hand and grind them on a traditional lava stone called Molcajete. Such a wonderful experience to see how our cacao is crafted and to get to know the women who craft both our origins: Entre Nubes and Caoba.
the essence of awänímä
Awänímä (ah-wah-nee-MAH) is a sacred word in Kaqchikel, the native Mayan language of Tzununá. It carries many meanings—heart, tender care, fierce love, and the creative life force that moves through all things. Its essence shifts depending on who speaks it and how it’s shared.
For us, the heart is at the center of everything. This is the gift we want our cacao to bring—a gentle invitation to return to your heart, to reconnect with your essence, and to be fully present in its wisdom.
A gift from the land:
This ceremonial cacao is born from family-owned fruit forests, where each bean is grown, fermented, and lovingly toasted and peeled by Mayan women’s collectives. Every seed carries a silent prayer—for the land to thrive, for the people to flourish, for the spirit of cacao to continue its sacred work.
We invite you to create a space of reverence as you prepare your cacao. Let openness guide you, clarity fill you, and inspiration flow through you. Light candles, burn incense, play music, or whisper your own prayers—whatever deepens your connection.
about us
Alina & Rani
We discovered our love for cacao years ago, one in Guatemala, the other in Nicaragua. Since then we continued sharing this sacred plant in women’s circles, on yoga retreats or just with friends. The curiosity to know more about this plant and the Mayan tradition around it brought us to Guatemala, where we found our favorite cacao that we now share with you.
contact us to order your personal ceremonial cacao:
we are based in Ericeira, Portugal.
if you’re around, we can just arrange a time for your pick-up.
if you’re further away, please contact us for shipping options. shipping cost will be added to the price.
send your message to:
Instagram: @cacao.awanima
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