🍫 Organic Ceremonial Grade Cacao Paste | Pure, Unprocessed, Medicinal
This is not hot chocolate. It is not cocoa powder. Organic ceremonial-grade cacao paste is the whole cacao bean — cold-pressed, minimally processed, and as close to its natural state as you can get while still being drinkable. Formulated into a daily ritual by Donna Cleary, Clinical Herbalist and Registered Nurse with 13 years at a Harvard teaching hospital.
 
Why Ceremonial Grade Matters
Commercial cocoa and chocolate lose up to 90% of their polyphenol content through fermentation, roasting, and processing. Ceremonial-grade cacao paste preserves what the research is actually about — the procyanidins, epicatechins, and flavanols that give cacao its medicinal profile. This is the form traditional cultures have used for centuries. The difference in potency is not subtle.
 
What the Research Shows
A 2010 clinical study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (Yeghiazarians et al., UCSF) found that patients with coronary artery disease who consumed high-flavanol cacao twice daily for 30 days showed a 47% improvement in arterial vasodilation and a two-fold increase in endothelial progenitor cells — the cells that repair damaged arterial walls. The effect was comparable to statins and exercise. Without the side effects.
Cacao also has more polyphenols and higher antioxidant capacity than green tea, black tea, or red wine — 1.8 to 4.9 times higher, depending on the measure. A 2012 review published in Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity (Andújar et al., PMC3488419) compiled the evidence across cardiovascular health, metabolic function, inflammation, and cancer prevention:
Cardiovascular support: Cacao polyphenols increase nitric oxide bioavailability, inducing vascular relaxation and improving endothelial function. Clinical trials show reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, decreased LDL-cholesterol, and increased HDL-cholesterol.
Anti-inflammatory: Cacao polyphenols inhibit the NF-κB inflammatory pathway, reduce proinflammatory cytokines, and decrease platelet adhesion — the mechanism by which cholesterol is more likely to adhere to arterial walls.
Metabolic support: Cacao polyphenols inhibit key enzymes involved in carbohydrate and fat digestion, reduce insulin resistance, and support healthy blood glucose levels.
Antioxidant protection: Per serving, cacao outperforms red wine, green tea, and black tea in both ABTS and DPPH antioxidant assays — protecting LDL from oxidation, a primary driver of atherosclerosis.
Skin tone and elasticity: Cacao polyphenols support glycosaminoglycans and collagens I, III, and IV — the structural proteins behind skin firmness and hydration.
 
How I use it
My trick for intermittent fasting cravings: Hot water, a teaspoon or two of cacao paste, a splash of milk, a little maple syrup. Done. I have it at 2 pm and again at 8 pm. It feels decadent. It fills me up. And I'm taking my medicine while I drink it.
— Donna
 
How to Use
Measure out approximately 1–2 teaspoons (10–15g). Blend or whisk into hot water with your choice of milk and a natural sweetener. Drink once or twice daily. The bitterness is part of the medicine — bitters stimulate digestive enzymes and bile flow, which is why this pairs so well with a liver support protocol.
 
Pairs With
Liver Friendly Tincture — cacao's cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory profile complements Liver Friendly's liver-gut axis support. Together they address cholesterol from multiple directions.
 
5 oz package: $20 
 
Need it quick? We have same-day delivery for just $5 extra. Order by 4pm and you'll have it by 7pm. If you live within range of the shop, you'll find that option at checkout. Or order online and pick it up in the shop — we'll have it ready for you.
 
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is ceremonial grade cacao and how is it different from cocoa powder? Ceremonial-grade cacao paste is made from whole, minimally processed cacao beans with the fat still intact. Cocoa powder has been defatted and processed, losing the majority of its naturally occurring polyphenols. Ceremonial grade is traditionally used as a medicinal food rather than a culinary ingredient.
What are the health benefits of cacao polyphenols? Cacao polyphenols — particularly epicatechins and procyanidins — are traditionally associated with cardiovascular support, healthy circulation, and anti-inflammatory activity. Research suggests they support healthy cholesterol levels, vascular function, and blood pressure within normal ranges.
How much cacao paste should I use per serving? A traditional ceremonial serving is 1–2 teaspoons (10–15g) per cup. This provides a meaningful amount of polyphenols without excessive stimulant content from theobromine and caffeine. Start with one teaspoon if you are sensitive to stimulants.
Can I drink cacao paste every day? Yes. Daily ritual use is how cacao has been traditionally consumed across Mesoamerican and other cultures for centuries. Clinical Herbalist Donna Troy Cleary drinks it twice daily as part of her own metabolic and liver support protocol.
Is this safe during pregnancy? Cacao contains theobromine and caffeine. Those who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or sensitive to stimulants should consult their healthcare provider before use.
 
⚠️ Caution: Cacao contains theobromine and small amounts of caffeine. Use care if you are sensitive to stimulants. Not recommended in the evening for those sensitive to caffeine. Keep out of reach of pets — theobromine is toxic to dogs and cats.
 
The statements made regarding these products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The efficacy of these products has not been confirmed by FDA-approved research. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All information presented here is not meant as a substitute for or alternative to information from healthcare practitioners. Please consult your healthcare professional about potential interactions or other possible complications before using any product. The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires this notice.