If you have been reading our blog articles, then you definitely have a clue about cacao being used in ceremonies. It was not only used to bring people together but also to make them feel good when they came together. Cacao was believed to be a mood enhancer. This drink was very important in conducting some rituals too. In this article, I will give the cacao recipe that was used, and still is used, to make the best chocolate drink during ceremonies.
Unlike today, where cacao is first processed into chocolate paste or powder before making the ceremonial drink, cacao nibs were used in the making of this historical drink. Cacao nibs were roughly chopped and then grounded by women using stones. Once they got to that “powder form” they were ready for use. Remember everyone knew about the ceremonies in advance and therefore the cacao was fermented, dried, and roasted organically. This was done to ensure the drink maintained the color and flavors
So, how was the drink made?
- Depending on the number of people, water was added into a big cooking pot
- A pinch of natural chill was added
- The grounded powder from the cacao nibs was added. This was also dependent on the number of visitors and the amount of water added.
- The mixture was let to boil as stirring was done
- They used wooden sticks to continually stir the drink until that frothy top was achieved
- The frothy top was the indicator that the ceremonial drink was ready
- Natural honey was added to sweeten the drink. This was optional for some ceremonies, especially those that were attended only by men.
- The drink was served while hot
Today, the drink is made but most people add other sweeteners and flavors like vanilla and cinnamon that makes the drink taste even better. To get the best benefits and the ideal taste from the ceremonial drink, only use organic cocoa. You can get organic cocoa, cultivated using the most organic farming methods from tropicalcacao.com
This drink is very healthy as it is full of antioxidants and healthy fats as well as essential vitamins and minerals. Check our article on the health benefits of cacao.
