The different strains of cacao available at KAKAO

All KAKAO products are strictly ceremonial grade. KAKAO is sourced from small family farms in the remote jungles of Peru, Guatemala, & Colombia far from industrial influence. Most of the farms we source from have only recently developed the infrastructure necessary to access their cacao. We have established direct-trade relationships with the farmers, families and tribes that we work with, meaning they set their prices and determine for themselves what their cacao is worth, versus using middlemen, distributors or brokers that devalue the ones who make this gift available to us.

KAKAO is now offered in four different varieties, please read below to learn about the differences.

Cacao Chuncho (Peru)

Cacao Chuncho is a native (heirloom) strain of cacao from the wild jungles of Peru. It is the core variety of cacao KAKAO has been sourcing since 2017 and is what the community is used to receiving. Chuncho, directly translating to "jungle cacao," is extremely special, rare and cherished by the natives of the land in Peru. It's impossible to replicate its floral, unique taste and aroma. The "farms" are indeed on inherited family land, which are very challenging to get to. Up until recently there were no roads to even access this wild type of cacao. We believe the Chuncho holds a specific communication from Mother Earth that is connected to sacred portals and grids in Peru. This cacao acts as the rainbow bridge to re-commune with humanity's original soul blueprint.

Cacao Chuncho is known to be naturally higher in cocoa butter, meaning it is extra rich in the beneficial compounds that make cacao known for healing, heart opening, physical vitality and stem cell regeneration. With higher cocoa butter content, it also naturally requires less sweetener to taste sweet and creamy. While taste is subjective, our Founder Makenzie finds Cacao Chuncho to be light, somewhat floral with a bit of tang, and deliciously creamy. It is loved by our customers worldwide and we are truly passionate about this variety of cacao. We offer the Chuncho in both the Pure and the Signature Blend, and it comes in granular/scoopable form (in non-summer months).

 

Cacao Criollo (Guatemala)

Cacao Criollo is a native (heirloom) strain of cacao from Guatemala. KAKAO was originally founded with a focus on this strain of cacao, however it is not until recently that our farmer in the jungle of Guatemala (Alta Verapaz) could source true criollo in higher quantities with integrity. Criollo is rare and highly revered, and up until recently they could only identify 12 trees left in this variety. As of August 2022, we are proud of be able to relaunch this strain of cacao as a part of our KAKAO product offerings.

While taste is subjective, our Founder Makenzie finds this strain to be a deeper, rich, traditional chocolate experience.  We offer the Criollo seasonally in both the Pure and the Signature Blend, and it comes in granular/scoopable form (in non-summer months).

 

Arhuaco Cacao (Colombia)

Arhuaco Cacao is a blend of cacao varieties, sourced from and blessed by the Arhuaco/Ike tribe & small farmers in Colombia. One of the regions this cacao is from, the Sierra Nevada mountains, is known as the Heart of the world. This cacao, because of its connection to this sacred land and the Ike relatives, it carries many keys of remembrance to living in true harmony with Mother Earth.

The Arhuaco cacao has somewhat of a more tangy element, with hints of sour cherry and coffee. This cacao is very heart opening and expansive. Our long term goal with our various partners on the ground in Colombia is to offer single-origin Cacao Blanco (the heirloom of Colombia), which is a 10 year vision requiring much effort, resources, research and collaborative devotion. Stay tuned! Read more about the Arhuaco cacao on the product page here.

 

Cacao blocks from Nana Marina Cruz (Guatemala)

Nana Marina's Cacao from Guatemala is a blend of cacao varieties, sourced and traditionally made by Nana Marina and her family of Mayan descent, with ancient roots to their lineage's practices and protocols with the fire and cacao. This cacao comes in a block and has a darker, heavily roasted taste to it. This cacao is very powerful and grounding, best used for longer ceremonial experiences.. Read more on the product page here and be sure to receive the online Spirit of Cacao Immersion in honor of Nana Marina's cacao.