Guatemalan Q'eqchi Cacao
Connect with the forests of Guatemala through our beautiful Awanima cacao, grown by Q’eqchi’ Maya family farmers in Lanquín, Alta Verapaz.
£25 / 250g Wheel
All about Awanima Guatemalan cacao
This cacao is 100% pure, natural and raw, there are no added sugars, sweeteners or preservatives. It's gluten-free. vegan friendly and suitable for kosher and halal.
Sourcing
Awanima cacao comes directly from Tuqtuquilal a Q'eqchi farmers cooperative of 109 families in Lanquín, Guatemala
Sustainable
Awanima's Q'eqchi cacao is grown within an agro-forestry system, around other fruits, herbs and native trees.
Hand Made
Awanima's Q'eqchi is carefully hand-harvested, sun-dried, fire roasted and hand peeled by Q'eqchi women
Awanimas Q'eqchi cacao
Our Awanima cacao is grown in the lush mountain forests of Lanquín, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, by Q’eqchi’ Maya families whose knowledge and traditions guide their relationship with the land.
Cultivated within biodiverse food forests, the cacao is carefully harvested, fermented and sun-dried before being fire-toasted in small batches and peeled by hand by Q’eqchi’ women. Each stage reflects the patience, skill and care behind its preparation.
Through the Red Ratzum Collective and Awanima’s regeneration centre, this cacao supports fair livelihoods, local employment and ongoing work to restore soil, reforest mountainsides and protect water sources. The result is a pure, 100% cacao paste that connects every cup with the people, traditions and forests of its origin.
How shall I use it?
Use ceremonial cacao in your everyday life for energy and nourishment:
- For daily consumption in the form of beverages (In doses for around 15-30g)
- For cacao ceremonies (in doses of around 40-45 grams per person)
- For meditation, yoga and other heart centred activities
- A high-calorie snack during hiking, walking and expeditions
- Chopped up and sprinkled on food such as muesli
- For tasty desserts or energy balls
- A natural and nutrient dense pre workout energiser shot
How does it taste?
Our Awanima cacao offers a rich, beautifully balanced flavour, with gentle fruity bitterness softened by delicate vanilla notes. A bright touch of citrus brings freshness to its deep cacao character, creating a complex and inviting cup with subtle layers to savour in every sip.
Guaranteed Quality
We are deeply proud of the quality and care behind our Awanima ceremonial cacao. Carefully fermented, sun-dried, fire-toasted in small batches and peeled by hand by Q’eqchi’ women, this pure cacao paste reflects the skill and attention given to every stage of its preparation.
Because cacao naturally contains cocoa butter, you may sometimes notice pale streaks, swirls or a light surface bloom following temperature changes during storage or travel. Fat bloom is a natural change in how the cocoa butter crystallises, rather than a sign of greater purity. Bubbles, uneven surfaces and slight crumbling can also occur during making and handling, although these are not all forms of bloom.
Why choose our cacao?
- Grown by Q’eqchi’ Maya family farmers in the biodiverse food forests of Lanquín, Guatemala.
- Carefully fermented, sun-dried, fire-toasted in small batches and peeled by hand.
- Pure, 100% cacao paste, prepared with respect for local food traditions.
- Supports fair livelihoods and local employment through the Red Ratzum Collective.
- Connected to ongoing regeneration work, including reforestation, soil restoration and care for water sources.
Pure cacao, carefully prepared, with respect for people and the land.
Preparation & Serving
How to Prepare Your Cacao Drink
To prepare cacao in its traditional drink form, follow these steps for the best results.
Chop the Cacao
Begin by finely chopping your cacao into small pieces, approximately 1/4 inch in size. Smaller pieces are fine, but avoid cutting them larger than this to ensure they dissolve properly.
Combine with Hot Water
Place the chopped cacao into your cup or blending container. Add hot water at around 60°C (140°F). Avoid using boiling water, as it can degrade the cacao's nutrients and alter its delicate flavour profile.
Blend to Emulsify
Use a whisk, or ideally a hand blender, to emulsify the cacao and water. Blend until the mixture is smooth, silky, and has a light, frothy texture.
Adjust Consistency to Taste
The amount of water added depends on your preferred consistency. For a thicker, more concentrated drink, use less water. Experiment to find your ideal balance.
Recommended Measurements
For precise preparation, use a small kitchen scale, teaspoon, or measuring cup to follow our guidelines below.
Small: 10 grams
This is a small serving of cacao, ideal for beginners or children. It's perfect for those new to cacao who may prefer a milder flavour and lower stimulant effect. Some people use small, daily doses of cacao, such as in the morning, for an energy and clarity boost. While this amount makes a small drink, it’s also delicious raw or sprinkled on food.
Medium: 10 to 25 grams
This amount is suitable for those more accustomed to drinking cacao or consuming stimulants. At this dose, many people start to experience the stimulating and heart-opening effects, though some may require slightly more. It's also ideal if you enjoy two cups a day—one in the morning and another later on.
Large: 25 - 35 grams
This amount is ideal for enhancing creativity, meditation, or as a daily medicinal dose. It’s often used during retreats or before gentle activities like dancing or yoga. This is also a common dose for cacao ceremonies, as it can open the heart and encourage a deeper connection to oneself.
There are more options for the amounts you can use, as well as methods to infuse your Cacao, covered in our Preparation and Serving guide.
Finally, we'd encourage you to take a look at our many delicious and warming Cacao Recipes to really get the most out of your Cacao.
Nutritional Information
Ingredients:
- Theobroma Cacao - Blend of local varieties - forestero, criollo, and hybrids
Storage:
- Store in a cool, dry, sealed container away from direct sunlight
Shelf Life:
- 24 Months from production
Daily portion sizes:
- Although there is no set amount we advise no more than 60g of raw cacao in total per day. We offer advisory portion sizes but essentially you must see what works for you.
- For a Drink: 25-30g of Cacao to 200ml of water is our take on a perfect cacao drink.
Allergens
- Although there are no known allergens present in our products and our overseas suppliers promise us due diligence around them, we cannot guarantee there is no cross contamination.
Heavy Metal Testing
- All of our Cacao is heavy metal tested and has passed all EU and Uk laws for consumption.
| Typical values | per 100g | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories (kcal / KJ) | 662.00 / 2768 | |
| Total Fat (g) | 57.00 | |
| Saturated fat (g) | 21.00 | |
| Monounsaturated Fat (g) | 26.00 | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat (g) | 10.00 | |
| Salt (g) | 0.05 | |
| Total Carbohydrate (g) | 28.6 | |
| Dietry Fiber (g) | 20.7 | |
| Total Sugar (g) | 0.6 | |
| Added Sugars (g) | 0.00 | |
| Protein (g) | 14.00 | |
| Calcium (mg) | 128 | |
| Iron (mg) | 13.9 | |
| Potassium (mg) | 1525 | |
| Magnesium (mg) | 499 | |
| Maganese (mg) | 3.9 | |
| Selenium (mcg) | 14.5 | |
| Zinc (mg) | 6.8 | |
| Copper (mg) | 3.8 | |
| Phosphorus (mg) | 734 | |
| Folate 89 (mcg) | 32.4 | |
| Niacin (mg) | 2.9 | |
| Vitamin K (mcg) | 2.6 | |
| Vitamin B12 (mcg) | 0.2 | |
| Riboflavin (B2) (mcg) | 0.22 |
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