Ceremonial Cacao from Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta | Indigenous, Fair Trade + Regenerative
Sourced in deep relationship with Jaguar Siembraand the Indigenous stewards of the Sierra Nevada—particularly the Kogi people of Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta—this cacao is more than a food; it is a living thread in a cosmology that understands the Earth as sacred, sentient, and in constant dialogue with humanity.
Jaguar Siembra operates as a bridge between worlds, co-creating alongside Indigenous communities rather than extracting from them. Their work is rooted in reciprocity:restoring ancestral agroforestry systems, protecting heirloom cacao genetics, and regenerating biodiverse food forests that mirror the intelligence of the jungle itself. Each harvest is guided by traditional ecological knowledge, where planting, pruning, and harvesting are attuned not only to the rhythms of the land, but to spiritual laws carried through generations.
Within the worldview of the Kogi, who refer to themselves as “Elder Brothers”, cacao is not simply cultivated, it is listened to. These communities have long acted as guardians of the Earth’s equilibrium, holding a deep understanding that all actions ripple across the natural world. Through this partnership, Jaguar Siembra supports cultural continuity, land sovereignty, and the preservation of one of the most intact wisdom traditions remaining on Earth.
The cacao itself is a rare, heirloom variety—grown in mineral-rich soils, shaded beneath diverse canopies, and processed with minimal intervention to preserve its full spectrum of bioactive compounds. Each small-batch bar is a reflection of place: pure, single-origin, and crafted with ceremonial integrity.
Cacao has been revered across Mesoamerican and South American traditions for thousands of years, as a heart medicine, a ceremonial ally, and a bridge between the physical and subtle realms. Once reserved for ritual, prayer, and rites of passage, it was consumed by elders, healers, and those walking between worlds.
To engage with this cacao is to enter into relationship—with the land, with the people who steward it, and with the deeper intelligence it carries.
Key Features + Traditional Context:
Single-Origin, Heirloom Cacao: Grown in the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, one of the most ecologically diverse regions on Earth
Reciprocal + Regenerative Sourcing: Cultivated within Indigenous-managed food forests using ancestral agroforestry practices
Cultural Continuity: Direct collaboration supports the sovereignty, knowledge systems, and livelihoods of Kogi and Iku communities
Ceremonial Integrity: Traditionally used as a heart-opening botanical to support emotional release, clarity, and connection
Seed Guardianship: Focus on preserving rare genetics and protecting cacao as a living lineage, not a commodity
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.
Mamus (spiritual guides) say cacao acts as a messenger, speaking from the hearts of native people to ours. A bridge between worlds, this cacao demonstrates how we can live in harmony with nature and create the conditions for all life to thrive.
Sourcing
El Corazón Del Mundo
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is known as "The Heart of the World" because its complex ecosystems maintain the health of the earth. This World Heritage site protects four Indigenous communities who are its guardians, responsible for preserving the spiritual balance between nature and humanity.
Cacao
Ceremonial vs. Commercial
Ceremonial Cacao is typically sun-dried, lightly roasted, and stone ground, maintaining its integrity. Commercial Cacao is industrially processed and heated at high temperatures, stripping its fat which acts as a carrier for minerals and other beneficial compounds.
Overall rating: 5.0 / 5 from 6 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
Summary topics
Review topics: ["source","cacao"].
Review highlights
Reviews
The BEST cacao I've ever tried!
"Wow wow wow, this is pure magic in a bar! The sourcing is so intentional and incredible. And as a cacao snob, I can honestly say the the flavor is unmatched- powerful and potent. I also love the impact that each purchase supports food forests and cultural heritage. Highly recommend! Needless to say the box is GORGEOUS."
— Maria (5/5)
Best cacao!!!
"I just made myself a cup of this cacao for the first time and WOW, its delicious,creamy, beautiful smell. Love it so much."
— REBECA M. (5/5)
Love the taste of the cacao
"Very quick shipping, and I just loved this cacao paste. It became the perfect cacao for my morning rituals."
— Katalin L. (5/5)
Amazing!!!
"It’s a beautifully packaged large block of Ceremonial Cacao."
— Heather C. (5/5)
love cacao
"love it, love the ritual of slow, gentle preparation"
— Katherine O. (5/5)
Excellent Cacao
"I’ve been using pure cacao for many, many years. Since I love Anima Mundi products and know them to be of the absolute highest quality, so I was very excited to see that ceremonial cacao was now available. I am not disappointed. This cacao is excellent. Whilst it is ceremonial grade and the quality is great, you can also add it to your coffee, daily drinks etc. I know it’s summer but I still drink hot chocolate, to which I also add the mushroom cacao mix sold in store. A little bit from the block and your drink is extra creamy. It’s delicious and nutritious! Overall a wonderful addition to the store and some of the finest cacao you can find. It’s also ethically sourced, something very important to me. Enjoy!"
— fiona t. (5/5)
Q&A
How do I use, eat this? can it be shaved . cut, should have been a video?
This is a beautiful cacao to work with, and there are a few different ways you can enjoy it depending on your intention. The cacao can be shaved, chopped, or cut into smaller pieces. It’s quite firm at room temperature, so using a knife to shave or break it into chunks is usually the easiest method. It can be eaten as-is, though it’s important to note that this is pure ceremonial cacao, not a sweetened chocolate bar. The flavor is rich, earthy, and naturally bitter, with subtle complexity rather than sweetness. Some people enjoy small pieces on their own, but it’s most commonly prepared as a warm drink. Traditionally, you can melt it into hot water or your favorite milk, stirring or blending until smooth. For more everyday (non-ceremonial) use, you can also add it into your choice of beverage or food: such as coffee, matcha, chai, smoothies, juices, or even yogurt, parfaits, and açaí bowls. It’s a very versatile addition. In terms of how much to take, it really depends on how you’re using it. For daily use, about 1–2 teaspoons, up to 1 tablespoon is a great place to start. For a more intentional or ceremonial-style serving, many people work with around 20–30 grams (roughly 2–3 tablespoons chopped). If you’re new to cacao, starting on the lower end is best, as it can feel quite energizing and uplifting. As this a newly launched product, we're working on getting more details up on this product page, including a video! I hope this helps you get started in the meantime. Feel free to reach out to info@animamundiherbals.com if further questions arise.
ANCIENT WISDOM
Our Apothecary is composed of organic, wildcrafted, and ethically grown botanicals. We aim to continuously source pristine, unadulterated and wholesome medicines for mind body and soul wellness. Anima Mundi is devoted to making vibrant and medicinally potent remedies that honor the principles of harmony and ancient formulation that have years of anecdotal and traditional evidence.
THE HIGHEST STANDARDS
We follow the highest manufacturing standards with passion!
Anima Mundi is a family owned and operated business. Our superfoods are made in an FDA registered and cGMP certified facility, made in the U.S. with certified organic herbs and wild harvested plants in a vegan and gluten free kitchen. Our products contain zero fillers, binders or flow agents. They are lab tested for purity and efficiency.