Frequently Asked Questions

Product Information

What does ‘Batch Infusion’ mean?

According to the Mayan calendar, each day carries with it a specific energy, special invitations, and teachings. Therefore, whichever day the cacao is prepared in ceremony will infuse that day’s energy (Nawales) into the batch. The Mayan calendar with its wisdom and power dates back to at least the 5th Century BCE. This process of batch blessing roots the medicine in a foundational intention from which you can connect, learn, explore, and add your own intentionality.

Is there anything mixed with the cacao?

Legacy Cacao is an intentional blend of 5 ingredients: Love, Organic Guatemalan Criollo Cacao, Vanilla, Mayan Spices, and Panela. For the full nutrition facts card, please consult the card included with your cacao, or click here. This is the only blend in the world made according to the ancient Mayan recipe for ceremonial cacao. The ingredients are not only of the highest purity and quality, but also come together in perfect harmony. They activate the cacao from both a nutritional/bioavailability standpoint, as well as from an energetic/alchemical standpoint. Although many ceremonial cacao blends add sweeteners and other trending superfood herbs, each ingredient in Legacy Cacao was chosen intentionally by the Mayan alchemists thousands of years ago. The result is the purest cacao in the most bioavailable form, unlocking tremendous energy, clarity, wisdom, and vitality.

Can I order Legacy Cacao without panela?

This is an ancient Mayan recipe that is unaltered to protect its specific alchemy. The panela is included in this specific blend to not only balance the flavor profile, but also to offer its energetic medicine as its own plant medicine. The sugar cane plant, in its pure form, has many powerful minerals including magnesium, iron, potassium and phosphorus. Panela is most simply described as a ‘dehydrated form’ of cane juice. As such, it still offers many of these grounding physical elements.

As with all plant medicine, please trust your Soul's calling and your body's wisdom. This lineage has a very potent, yet gentle feminine essence. She can connect you to the deep wisdoms and teachings of the Mayan Quiche Peoples. When we were gathering in person, holding ceremonies and activations, we always advised participants that whether you have one sip, 3 cups, or just simply hold the mug, this medicine will reach you with your permission. She is deeply available in all physical and energetic forms.

What makes Legacy Cacao ‘Ceremonial-Grade’?

Purity, potency and intentionality. Legacy Cacao is unlike any other cacao on the planet. The criollo cacao comes from the ancient Grandmother lineage of trees where cacao was first domesticated by the Mayan people over 3,000 years ago. The small, family farms that continue to grow this sacred plant do so with the utmost respect for the soil, the plants, the pollinators, and the cacao itself. They are nourished through traditional farming practices like ‘helper crop’ rotation, which diversifies the nutrient content available to the cacao plants, and therefore within your cup of cacao. The cacao is fermented, dried by the sun, and slowly roasted over a low heat fire. It is then ground by hand with stones (never touching high-heat machinery), mixed in ceremony, and wrapped with great love and care in handwoven Guatemalan cloth bags. Every step of this process is done in ceremony, prayer, meditation, pure presence. And by bringing that level of presence, every contributor along the supply chain protects the original potency of the plant itself with all her wisdom and teachings. The result: one of the most gentle, yet potent cacao plant medicines available today.

Is it raw cacao?

In short, no. It’s generally known that ‘raw' food is not heated above 118°F (47°C). Legacy Cacao is fermented, sun-dried, and low-heat roasted.

FERMENTATION: During the fermentation process, temperatures often reach up to 122°F. Fermentation is part of the traditional process for preparing cacao. It not only helps to develop the rich chocolate flavor associated with cacao, but also unlocks the bioavailability of many nutrients. Fermentation also reduces the bitterness and phytic acid naturally present in cacao, making the cacao easier to digest and integrate.

DRYING: Drying in the sunlight between fermentation and roasting is a vital step in the cacao preparation process. It offers the cacao beans space to integrate the activations of fermentation. Space to rest and breathe in the open air. Space to release the excess moisture from the beans. Space to prepare for the next stage of its journey.

ROASTING: As a four-element plant, cacao is activated through interaction with Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. After drying, the cacao beans are heated over an open fire in a special ceramic pan, constantly stirring and moving to maintain an even heating process. This process continues to release the water from the beans while also allowing the more complex flavor profiles to be revealed. Every step including the roasting is done as a whole bean to allow for maximum flavor, maximum nutrition, maximum energetic medicine.

It’s all part of the rhythm of living life in HARMONY with nature. Listening to her timing, not rushing, and allowing the full unfolding.

Is Legacy Cacao organic?

The farms that we work with to cultivate cacao use ancient and traditional methods that are organic by our definition - but do not undergo the certification process due to the extensive fees. They are very small-scale family farms. In their cultivation practices, they also utilize many methods similar to biodynamic farming - rotating different helper crops to nutrient-load the soil (and therefore the cacao), allowing for a more wild and natural growth (instead of sterile and neat little rows), and listening to the natural rhythm of the plants and seasons. The timing and yield vary from season to season, and these harvests are never rushed. In essence, "Mama Cacao tells us when she's ready."

Preparation

Why do you suggest adding oil? Can I use a different kind than coconut oil or ghee?

We have found that many people that try Legacy Cacao in the United States and around the world have never ingested food that vibrates at such a high frequency. The purity and potency of this plant medicine invite your body to raise its vibration. What is the primary part of us that often blocks this process? The mind. And what keeps the brain happiest? Healthy fats. So in a way, adding a little extra healthy fat such as ghee or coconut oil is a way to help bring some ease and grace to the process of raising your frequency. It keeps the brain ‘occupied’ while the energetic and nutritional medicine of cacao circulates up to the pineal gland - increasing your psychic and mental clarity.

**Please note: This information shared above is based on intuitive and anecdotal insights. This aspect of the nutrition of cacao has not been directly studied in a laboratory.

Ritual

When is the best time of day/night to enjoy the Cacao?

There is no right or wrong time to drink a cup of Legacy Cacao. That being said, here are some insights into the most common times of the day.

Early Morning: We love starting our day with a cup of cacao as part of an individualized intentional practice. It’s a way to set your mind and spirit’s compass heading for the day. It’s a full meal replacement, packed full of nutrients, healthy fats, and gentle, long-lasting energy. Many of our customers have shared that Legacy Cacao has seamlessly folded into their existing morning ritual and often replaced breakfast, coffee, or even morning tea.

Ritual Inspiration: (1) Awaken the senses and the body with a personalized Ayurvedic dinacharya practice, (2) Prepare your cup of Legacy Cacao, (3) Sip your cacao while journaling, meditating, listening to music, sharing heartfelt conversation with a loved one, etc. (4) Move your energy through a physical practice (breathwork, yoga, sports) or a creative practice (singing, dancing, painting, heartstorming for work projects, etc).

Afternoon: Another time of day our customers seem to love sipping on a cup of Legacy Cacao is in the mid-afternoon to support a reboot of the creative energy, recalibrate back to the heart, and cleanse the mind.

Evening: On special occasions, we often incorporate Legacy Cacao into evening ceremonies - such as the full moon, new moon, sound baths, solstice, or even just a non-alcoholic birthday elixir! While there is very little caffeine present in this cacao, it does often open up creative channels. So some people find themselves in a powerful flow of creativity (rather than sleep) the first few times they try it. Other people experience profound relaxing effects (potentially due to the high magnesium content) and go right to sleep after an evening cup of cacao. Every body is unique. Every day we are a new expression of ourselves. So please always listen to your body’s wisdom.

HEALTH

Is it safe to drink during pregnancy? Can children drink it?

We believe every human body carries with it innate wisdom that is unique to your blueprint and current needs. Intuitive eating is a powerful practice to explore. We cannot definitively say what is best for you - you are always your own best expert. With that said, Legacy Cacao has deeply and safely nourished many pregnant mommas (including our Co-Founder Searaya). The diversity of vitamins and trace minerals (including iron, calcium, magnesium, and healthy fats) can be a powerful superfood for growing healthy tiny humans. Not to mention the calming effect it has for so many… that can certainly help when those hormone swings kick in.

Does cacao have caffeine? Is it addictive?

Legacy Cacao only contains trace amounts of caffeine. The natural energy boost many experience while drinking Legacy Cacao can be attributed to theobromine. Despite being in the same molecular class of stimulants as caffeine, theobromine does not stimulate the central nervous system. Your brain does not form a chemical bond with the substance and the stimulation from theobromine is more of a general feeling of “being refreshed” or having slept well. Other physical experiences can include feeling more mental clarity, brightness, focus and improved memory.

One of the key differences between theobromine and caffeine is that theobromine is not addictive. On a molecular level, theobromine and caffeine only differ by one methyl group. As caffeine is metabolized by the body, that methyl group is removed and caffeine, therefore, converts to theobromine. This extra methyl group is what makes coffee addictive and brings its effects to the central nervous system.

Theobromine has also been linked to boosted mood, better sleep, deeper breathing (theobromine helps relax your muscles, including the lungs), lower blood pressure, and improved cardiac health.

Many of our community members who had been avid coffee drinkers realized that they were able to easily cut back or fully transition off of caffeine without the withdrawal symptoms when they began a cacao ritual. It just naturally and easily shifted - creating the space within to choose what felt best in their bodies. And when you value Sovereignty, having the space within to be able to feel, hear and CHOOSE is a game-changer.

Does this cacao have sugar in it?

Legacy Cacao is prepared in ceremony and pre-spiced according to the ancient Mayan recipe. One of the four primary ingredients in this recipe is panela. Panela is the traditional sweetener from Central America made from the sugar cane plant and is utilized in ceremony as a sacred offering. Sugar cane juice is known around the world for its nutritional value including many trace minerals, and is even used in cleansing practices. One step beyond the fresh juice is panela - a minimally processed, dried version. As pure, unrefined, dried sugar cane juice, panela retains many minerals, vitamins and other trace substances such as antioxidants which have shown to be health-supportive. It has a rich and caramel-like flavor compared to brown sugar, which is generally just white sugar with a small amount of molasses added back to it. As shared by many of our community members, panela feels as though it metabolizes in the body quite differently than other 'sugar.' We've had several elite performance athletes that are strict Keto incorporate Legacy Cacao into their training and still remain in ketosis. Additionally, the frequency of this panela is part of the alchemy of the Mayan recipe, one essential part of the activation of this plant medicine on an energetic level.

Will I still receive the benefits of the plant medicine if I half the recipe?

As with all plant medicine, please trust your Soul's calling and your body's wisdom. This lineage has a very potent, yet gentle feminine essence. She can connect you to the deep wisdoms and teachings of the Quiche Maya. Whether you have one sip, 3 cups, or just simply hold the mug, this medicine will reach you with your permission. She is deeply available in all physical and energetic forms.

Ordering and Shipping

I ordered a bag of Legacy Cacao. How long will it take to reach me?

Most orders within the continental U.S. arrive within 1 week of placing your order. We are currently using USPS Priority Mail as our primary courier for domestic orders. For international orders, UPS is our primary courier and orders typically take about 2 weeks to arrive.

I switched credit cards. How can I update my account information? Will this impact my monthly subscription?

Log into your customer account on the Legacy Cacao website. Delete your old credit card/billing information. Enter your new card information. Double-check your billing address is still correct. And then click “Save.” You should be all set!

I moved and have a monthly subscription. How can I update my mailing address?

Our current e-commerce platform Squarespace does not currently offer this function. We apologize for this inconvenience! So our best suggestion for a work-around solution is to cancel your existing subscription and then re-sign up with your new address. One important step is to first delete your old address in your customer account. That seems to dramatically reduce the incidence of further errors in the system. Whatever date you re-sign up for the subscription will become your regular monthly renewal date. So please keep that in mind for optimal timing.

I received a bag of Cacao that was damaged in transit. What can I do?

We take every care when packing your cacao to protect it during transit. Occasionally though, packages do get damaged during shipping. If that happens, please just take a photo of your package and send it to us at Sarah@LegacyCacao.com. We will be happy to replace any orders that do not arrive in their optimal condition.

Can I purchase Legacy Cacao in a smaller quantity than 1 pound?

Currently, we only offer the one-pound bag size. We have found that committing to a daily cacao practice for the first couple of weeks will help to peel back all of those initial layers and allow you to sit into the depth and heart of your connection. Reflecting the essence of the plant medicine herself, it challenges you to tune in, listen, and TRUST if you hear that ‘YES.’ It also has seemed to beautifully challenge many people's limitations around self-love and investing in self-care. As a royal lineage, this cacao was once more valuable than gold. To be a full match to her teachings, many of us first need to take that leap in vibration to allow ourselves that level of worthiness.

Is it possible to purchase Cacao as a gift for others?

Absolutely! During the checkout process, just select the option for “Gift” and we will omit the packing slip. Additionally, we offer a complimentary, hand-written gift note if you would like to personalize the shipment.