Online Class—Plant Partner: Cacao

How exciting is it to hear that cacao has a tremendous amount of wonderful health benefits? We’re ultimately talking chocolate here, but one must first know the difference between cacao, cocoa, and chocolate.

Cacao comes from the raw cacao seed that has been fermented, dried, and ground into a powder. Cacao has not been roasted and generally stays in its most original form. It actually doesn’t taste like chocolate at all! It has its own distinct properties and flavor. Adding cacao to your daily routine may help many areas in the body, including the cardiovascular system, immune system, and digestive system.Cacao is often known to help aid our digestive systems because it contains a considerable amount of fiber, it can help reduce blood pressure and increase the blood flow to the major organs within the body, including the brain and the heart. Adding cacao powder to your diet can increase brain stimulation and help manage anxiety and depression. Drank as sacred medicine in ancient Aztec traditions, and rooted in South and Central American history, cacao ceremonies have long provided healing of the heart and mind. Through opening the heart, cacao enables us to hear our true self, work through blockages and past traumas, dissolve negative energy, and help us align and remember who we truly are.