Heirloom Cacao Powder | Organic Ancestral Seeds 170 g

Anima Mundi’s Heirloom Cacao Powder consists of a single ingredient: pure organic cacao powder from Ecuador. It uses Cacao Arriba from traditional heirloom varieties cultivated on a single-origin farm. The result is an intensely cacao-rich powder with a complex, bittersweet chocolate flavor—without added sugar or any other ingredients.

• 100% organic raw cacao: Pure cacao powder with no other ingredients
• Single origin: Cacao from Ecuador
• Cacao Arriba: From traditionally cultivated heirloom or ancestral varieties
• Tradition: Cacao has been used for centuries as a food and ritual plant
• Flavor: Intensely cacao-rich, bittersweet, aromatic & complex
• Versatile: For hot and cold drinks, coffee, matcha, chai, smoothies, baking & desserts
• No added sugar: Only ground cacao seeds
• Contents: 170 g
  

Cacao has a centuries-old history as a food and ritual plant in various cultures of Central and South America. It was prepared as a beverage, used in ceremonies, and associated with community, gratitude, and special moments. Anima Mundi draws on this tradition and translates it into an uncomplicated cacao powder for everyday use.

We particularly like Heirloom Cacao because it can do much more than classic hot chocolate: A spoonful adds a special note to coffee or chai, works well in smoothies, and is equally suitable for baking, desserts, or a consciously prepared cup of cacao.

Anima Mundi Herbals was founded by Costa Rican herbalist Adriana Ayales. The brand combines traditional plant knowledge from Central and South America, Ayurveda, and other botanical traditions with modern, uncomplicated use.

The focus is on carefully selected plants, mushrooms, and superfoods from organic cultivation and wild harvesting, transparent sourcing, and recipes that are as minimal as possible. Many products contain only a few ingredients and are free from unnecessary fillers, binders, or flow agents.

Cacao Arriba & Heirloom Cacao

• Cacao (Theobroma cacao): In various Central and South American cultures, cacao has a long tradition as a food, beverage, and ritual plant. It was prepared as a drink and formed part of ceremonial and communal occasions. Today, too, cacao is often prepared mindfully—from morning cacao to a small evening ritual.
• Natural plant compounds: Cacao naturally contains a variety of characteristic plant compounds, including polyphenols such as cacao flavanols and the alkaloid theobromine. This distinctive composition is precisely what makes Theobroma cacao a food that continues to be extensively researched.
• Cacao Arriba & heirloom varieties: Anima Mundi sources its cacao from a single-origin farm in Ecuador that cultivates traditional Cacao Arriba varieties. The heirloom or ancestral seeds used represent cacao varieties preserved over generations and a cultivation culture that consciously differs from highly standardized mass-market cacao. The origin is identified by the Denominación de Origen.

There is extensive traditional knowledge and modern research concerning cacao and its natural plant compounds. Here, we limit ourselves to a brief overview. Those who would like to learn more can find numerous additional resources online.

How to Use

• Serving size: Use approximately 1 tsp to 1 tbsp, depending on the desired intensity.
• As a beverage: Stir into warm plant milk, water, coffee, matcha, or chai.
• In the kitchen: Ideal for smoothies, porridge, desserts, energy balls, or baking.
• Tip: For creamier cacao, first stir with a small amount of warm liquid until smooth, then add the remaining liquid.
• Storage: Store protected from heat and direct light.
  

Ingredients

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Seed Powder*

*Organic, grown in Ecuador

In English: Organic cacao seed powder (Theobroma cacao)*

*from organic cultivation in Ecuador

100% cacao. No added sugar and no other ingredients.

FAQ

What is Heirloom Cacao?
Heirloom refers to traditionally preserved cacao varieties that were not bred solely for the highest possible yield and standardized flavor. Anima Mundi uses Cacao Arriba from Ecuador and also refers to the varieties used as “Ancestral Seeds.”

What is Cacao Arriba?
Cacao Arriba is closely associated with Ecuador and refers to cacao varieties traditionally cultivated there. Anima Mundi sources its cacao from a single-origin farm in Ecuador with Denominación de Origen.

What makes this cacao special?
Besides its origin, we especially appreciate its simplicity: The package contains only organic cacao powder—without sugar, flavorings, or other additives. This preserves the original, intense cacao flavor.

Does cacao contain natural plant compounds?
Yes. Cacao naturally contains various polyphenols, including cacao flavanols, as well as theobromine. These compounds are the subject of extensive modern research.

Is Heirloom Cacao the same as ceremonial cacao?
Not exactly. Classic ceremonial cacao is usually offered as minimally processed cacao paste that still contains its natural cacao butter. This product, by contrast, is a cacao powder. It can be used beautifully for personal cacao rituals, but it has a different consistency and composition from cacao paste.

How do I prepare Heirloom Cacao Powder?
Stir approximately 1 tsp to 1 tbsp into warm plant milk, water, or another beverage, depending on the desired intensity. The powder also pairs very well with coffee, matcha, chai, smoothies, and desserts.

Is sugar added?
No. The product consists of 100% cacao powder and contains no added sugar.

Is the cacao sweetened?
No. The flavor is correspondingly intense, cacao-rich, and bittersweet. For classic hot chocolate, you can add honey, maple syrup, or another sweetener as desired.