Cacao has a deep cultural significance in Black communities, where there is ancestral wisdom in its history.
The journey of cacao began with Indigenous peoples in Mesoamerica. It is a sacred plant and centered in many rituals. For the Maya and Aztec civilizations, cacao wasn’t just a food. It was a spiritual tool. They believed the cacao tree was a gift from the gods, using it in ceremonies to connect with the divine.
Cacao a centerpiece in the economy. People would trade the beans as a form of currency. When enslaved Africans were brought to the Americas, they carried their ancestral knowledge, resilience and spiritual practices with them. This includes cacao. The largest cacao-producing countries on the continent are Ivory Coast, Ghana and Nigeria, with each collectively producing over 70 percent of the world’s cacao. Cacao played a major role in our African ancestors lives.
Today, cacao continues to offer countless benefits. It is rich in flavonoids, boosts mood, increase energy and support heart health. Cacao is a means for healing, self-care and connection. In a time where many seek grounding amidst the chaos of existing, cacao offers an opportunity to reconnect with ancient wisdom.
For Black people, cacao can be a bridge to healing. It reminds us of our ancestral practices, the power of community and the sacredness of Mother Earth. Whether consumed in a communal ceremony or at home self-care ritual, cacao has the potential to deepen connection to history, bodies and one another. Stephanie Madrid, a cacao ceremony facilitator, spoke to 21Ninety about this holistic remedy for the soul.
21NINETY: Why is cacao a heart-opening medicine?
STEPHANIE MADRID: The best answer I’ve heard is one by Tata Jerico, a Mayan Quiche elder and daykeeper known as Ajq’ij. This will be a long answer, so stick with me. He described cacao as an element that came to fortify our physical and spiritual bodies. Sacred cacao gives us a sensitivity to nature. I understood that this return to sensitivity makes us receptive to other life forms, not just our own.
As some of the earliest cacao harvesters, Mayan elders emphasize the importance of observing the behavior and growth of natural elements to understand their purpose. This knowledge has been passed down through generations of observation and reflection. In this case, the cacao fruit grows inside a hard-shelled pod that points down towards the earth. This orientation reminds us of where life originates and ultimately returns: the ground.
This orientation suggests that the medicine will provide an internal journey that sits below the surface. Cacao gives us a sensitivity to nature. It also opens us to our internal nature and extends empathy to life around us.
21N: Can you give us some background on ancient practices using cacao?
SM: The ancient practices I’m most familiar with are those of the Maya. They really hold cacao in high regard. They see it as a sacred gift from the cosmos to humanity. The Maya used cacao in all sorts of ways. For food, in spiritual rites of passage, and even for trading.
There’s a common misconception that the Maya held “cacao ceremonies.” While they definitely had ceremonies, they were not just about cacao. Those ceremonies involved tending to a sacred fire, coming up with a purpose or intent for the gathering and tapping into the energies of the Mayan calendar. It’s a pretty serious thing that’s been passed down through generations and takes a lot of preparation and initiation.
The cacao ceremony, as we know it, is a modern practice that appropriates much of what is commonly seen in sacred Mayan ceremonies.
There is so much to learn about ancient civilizations, like the Maya. We are only beginning to understand their practices and rituals as members of the Mayan community start to share their knowledge with us. For years, Western research dominated our understanding of these communities. They often highlighted only small facets of their deep, rich culture and advancements. With colonization, we lost access to much of that knowledge, and understandably so.
21N: Why is cacao upheld as sacred?
SM: In a recent interview with his partner Nana Jessica, [Tata Jerico] shared an example that illustrates an important lesson. [He said,] “If we need to build a house in the middle of the jungle, our ancestors taught us to ask the trees for permission before cutting them down.” By seeking permission, we acknowledge that the trees are alive and part of a greater family. When we lack this sensitivity, we lose our connection to nature.
Cacao plays a significant role in opening us up to this sensitivity, which is why it is considered sacred. Its ability to heal both our bodies and our spirits also contributes to its status as a sacred plant. What we experience in a modern ceremony of sharing our open hearts is part of what upholds cacao as sacred. It reconnects us to the root of our humanity.
21N: How has cacao transformed your own life?
SM: Before I discovered cacao, I lived quite a disconnected life. Nothing negative, really, but looking back, I see it lacked direction and intention and didn’t always represent who I was on the inside. As a kid, I was so free-spirited. I would whisper to plants, hug strangers and eat flowers if it felt right. Then life taught me to sit still, behave, and just get a job.
When cacao came into my life in 2020, everything changed. It was right when the world started to crack open, and we all began realizing how fragile so many of our systems were. During that time, I noticed my own inner systems starting to show signs of wear, and I began to understand that I’d outgrown them. Cacao kicked off this amazing internal journey for me, helping me lean into my sensitivity and figure out what needed reorganizing.
I went through this incredible season of awe and wonder with cacao, started offering cacao facilitation and I burned out quickly. Admittedly, I was seduced by the idea that I could turn it into my next profession. That led me deep into inner work, which feels like an ongoing process, but it’s been so freeing. I’ve grown so much in my ability to face what was hurting and to let go of what wasn’t serving me anymore. Now, almost five years later, I feel like I can live my life fully rather than just partially, and it feels like a gift that keeps on giving.
21N: How can we use cacao in our lives to connect to ourselves or our ancestors more deeply?
SM: Cacao is a powerful facilitator of connection. My primary recommendation is to cultivate a personal relationship with cacao. It’s important to understand its energetics not only as a physical substance, but also as a mystical companion. Just like any other relationship, you need to learn how to engage with it.
How do we connect with others? We communicate with them, provide support, check in on their comfort, listen to what they have to say and make it a habit to connect regularly. Cacao is no different. It may require a bit more imagination, and if personifying it helps, I encourage you to do so.
Cacao reveals different things to people. She has introduced me to my ancestors in my dreams, and I have felt their presence strongly during meditation. Sometimes, she gives me straightforward advice and tells me when I’m being unreasonable. The dynamics can vary from quiet to intense, depending on the relationship you choose to build with this medicine.
21N: Can cacao be a replacement for coffee?
SM: Cacao does function as a stimulant. Its primary compound is theobromine, much like how coffee has caffeine. Theobromine helps get your heart pumping and relaxes your blood vessels. This is why you often feel that open-hearted warmth after enjoying it. This increased blood flow can even lead to some emotional releases, making the experience with cacao intimate or vulnerable.
While cacao can definitely be a wonderful alternative to coffee, it’s important to remember that it creates a different kind of experience. Instead of just a quick energy boost, cacao invites introspection and connection.
If you’re thinking about making cacao a part of your daily routine, it might be worth taking a moment to reflect on your motivations. Consider your relationship with cacao as if it were a friendship.
21N: As a cacao ceremony facilitator, what does a session look like?
SM: The session is typically structured into three main sections: prayer, silence or listening and open discussion. Each section can unfold in various ways. For instance, silence may involve literal stillness with closed eyes and focused breathing or it could include responding to journal prompts.
This process emphasizes the importance of intentional accompaniment, both for ourselves and with each other. The session offers an opportunity to present ourselves with humility, acknowledging our relationships with one another and with nature. My role is to create a space for divine expression that honors both our human ancestors and our non-human ancestors.
I often draw inspiration from the Maya and their ceremonial practices and actively study the Mayan calendar and the energies associated with each day. I strive to incorporate themes from the governing Nahual or energy into my opening prayers and acknowledgments, but as someone who has a lot to learn, I only bring it in if it feels authentic.
21N: How can you make sure you’re respecting the plant during regular use?
SM: If you’re considering incorporating cacao into your daily routine, it’s important to reflect on your motivations. Cacao is a sacred practice, and it’s worthwhile to honor that relationship, as many ancestors have done before us. Take the time to learn about the unique qualities of cacao. Determine if they resonate with you or heed its call if it continues to present itself in your life.
The popularity of consuming ceremonial cacao is on the rise, and as your interest grows, it’s essential to be discerning and investigative about the vendors you choose. Ceremonial-grade cacao can only be produced with integrity by families who have cultivated the plant over generations. Often, these families are Indigenous and face exploitation and low wages.
There are families involved in growing and harvesting cacao. Local collectives that specialize in fermenting and roasting it, and companies that responsibly package and sell cacao to consumers. Be critical and curious about the companies you purchase from. Take note of how transparent they are about the entire production process. If the information isn’t clearly presented on their websites, don’t hesitate to reach out. Those who operate with good intentions and a positive impact will likely respond promptly. I have also found they love to share the hard work they are doing with others because it makes the work feel worthwhile.
Caring for an ancient practice or custom involves a sense of responsibility. If ceremonial-grade cacao becomes exploited in the same way as commercial-grade chocolate, we risk degrading the soil it grows in and harming the communities that truly care for it. We are all interconnected and must take care of one another.
21N: When is the best time to bring cacao into our lives? Are there signs to look for that the medicine is calling us?
SM: If you’re reading this, I would consider it a sign to bring some cacao into your life! If cacao appears in your TikTok feed or you overhear someone discussing their experiences with it, these are all subtle signs. It just might be worth exploring in your own life.
This article has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.