Ceremonial Cacao Flakes, Zorzal Dominican Republic
Quality
- Taste the difference - Premium, single-origin, organic cacao. Crafted bean-to-cup in Vermont. Small batches with nothing added, nothing removed.
- Transparent trade - One farm, one origin, no middlemen. This cacao comes from the Zorzal Reserve in the Dominican Republic, from growers we know and practices we've examine.
Labs & Certs
Eurofins Lab Tested
Heavy Metals safe - lead 17.9 ppb, cadmium 242 ppb
Mold and toxin safe - <10 CFU/g
Flavanol - 563mg
Theobromine - 283 mg
Caffeine - 59.9 mg
NOP Organic - Independently third party verified by CCOF
Ingredients
Just 100% cacao. Nothing added or striped away. Single origin so natural flavor is protected. Low roasted to preserve nutrients
How to Make
- Half dose: 1oz. / 4 tbsp - Full dose 2oz. / 8 tbsp
- 5 oz (150ml) hot water
- Love 70% dark chocoalte? Add 1 tbsp. Try: Spices, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Vanilla and Milk / Mylk
- Froth It - Until it's velvety and crowned with foam
Why Drink Cacao?
Cacao is loaded with health benefits. Today, science confirms what ancient cultures always knew: cacao is one of the most powerful natural superfoods on earth.
We fully test our cacao for heavy metals and beneficial compounds like flavanols.
Click to see our eurofins test
Heart Healthy
563mg of flavanols per cup which support cardiovascular wellness and healthy blood flow.
Grounded, Jitter-Free Energy
Theobromine delivers a smooth, sustained lift without the spike and crash of caffeine.
Natural Mood Enhancer
Contains serotonin, PEA, and anandamide (the "bliss molecule") to support feelings of joy and connection.
Heavy Metals Tested
For both lead and cadmium we are below the EU limit and CA prop 65
Single Origin
Reserva Zorzal, Dominican Republic
Grown in a bird sanctuary in the mountains of the Dominican Republic
Our Dominican cacao comes from Reserva Zorzal, a 1,019 acre cacao farm and bird sanctuary in the northern mountains of the Dominican Republic. It's named for the zorzal, the endangered Bicknell's Thrush, which migrates between North America and the very forests where this cacao grows. The reserve was the first of its kind in the country, with 70% of the land set aside as forever wild. Cacao thrives here in the shade of that protected forest, and the shade is exactly what makes it special: the same trees that shelter the birds also shelter the cacao, slowing the ripening of the pods and deepening their flavor. Beans are fermented and sun dried on site. The result is a cacao that carries its origin in every sip, a piece of forest that exists because cacao and you gave it a reason to.
Flavor Notes: Earthy Chocolate · Nutty · Medium Bitter
Warm, nostalgic, and grounding. It taps that childhood hot chocolate memory, then deepens it.
Let customers speak for us
What customers think about the store
Family-owned Vermont business offering high-quality, ethically-sourced ceremonial cacao. Customers praise exceptional taste, fast shipping, responsive service, and affordable pricing. Known for smooth, rich flavor and heart-opening effects. Popular for daily r...
AI-generated from customer reviews.
Shop All Cacao
Browse our two origins: Zorzal and Uganda, along with flakes and bar options.
What is Ceremonial Grade Cacao?
It's pure cacao in its most whole form. The entire bean, gently roasted and ground into a rich paste, with nothing added and nothing removed. Unlike cocoa powder or chocolate, which are processed, defatted, and sweetened until little of the plant remains. Ceremonial cacao keeps all of its natural nutrients and cacao butter intact. That's what makes it a true nutritional powerhouse: a rich source of flavanols, antioxidants, iron, magnesium, and potassium, plus theobromine for smooth, jitter free energy without the crash of coffee. It's the difference between consuming chocolate and actually experiencing cacao. Cultivated with intention, consumed with love.
How to Make
30 seconds to make your perfect cup!
Daily Dose
- 1oz. / 4 tbsp of cacao
- 5 oz water
- Sweeten to taste
- Try: Spices, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Vanilla and Milk / Mylk
- Froth It
For a gentle morning ritual.
Ceremony Dose
- 2oz. / 8 tbsp of cacao
- 5 oz water
- Sweeten to taste
- Try: Spices, Cinnamon, Cayenne, Vanilla and Milk / Mylk
- Froth It
For deeper experience
Hand Crafted in Vermont
From farm to cup, every step matters.
Harvest
Cacao is harvested with care.
Ferment
Beans are fermented to develop flavor.
Dry
Sun drying prepares cacao for roasting.
Roast
Small batches are roasted for depth.
Grind
Finished cacao is ground and packaged.
Our Mission
Share the love in everything we do
15 years ago we had our first experience with ceremonial cacao in Costa Rica. We felt an instant connection with this plant medicine and have been working with it ever since. We find it to be a great teacher & facilitator, as well as an integral part of a healthy diet. After working with this medicine more deeply and visiting the communities where it grows, we decided that we wanted to share this beautiful plant and its healing properties with our community back home. Embue cacao was born as our way of helping spread the cacao love.
Frequently asked questions
Will it melt in shipping?
Cacao is sturdier than chocolate, but in peak summer heat it can soften and melt above 80-85F. It's perfectly fine to use if it does, there is no health concerns. Just place in freezer to harden, then chop up and place back in the bag.
Zorzal or Semuliki — what's the difference?
Zorzal (Dominican Republic) is earthy, nutty, and grounding. Semuliki (Uganda) is rich, fudgy, and smooth with a subtle tang. Can't decide? Many customers try both to see which one they like.
Can I add it to a smoothie?
Absolutely. Toss 2 to 4 tablespoons of flakes right into the blender for a rich chocolate boost of flavanols, magnesium, and steady energy. No need to melt it first, though blending with at least some liquid at room temperature helps it incorporate smoothly. Pairs great with banana, nut butter, dates, and your milk of choice.
Does it have caffeine? Will it make me jittery?
There's only a trace of caffeine. The energy comes from theobromine — a gentle, sustained lift that opens you up without the spike-and-crash of coffee. Most people find it calming and focused rather than wired.
How is this different from cocoa or a chocolate bar?
Ours is 100% pure cacao — the whole bean, nothing added, nothing removed. Cocoa powder is defatted and ultra processed; chocolate bars are loaded with sugar, seed oils and chemicals. Ceremonial cacao keeps all the cacao butter, nutrients, and natural compounds intact.
Is it really organic?
Yes — independently certified organic by CCOF and sourced Beyond Fair Trade directly from the farmers who grow it. - See link here
How should I store it, and how long does it last?
An airtight container in a cool, dry place away from sunlight is all it needs. Good for two years.
Flakes or bar? Which should I get?
Flakes dissolve fast and are easiest for a quick daily cup. The bar lets you shave your exact dose and adds a ritual step many people love. Same cacao, just your preference.
Are you heavy metals tested
Yes, see our EuroFins test. For level below Prop 65 - Here
Do I need to do a ceremony to drink it?
Not at all. Plenty of customers drink it daily as a coffee replacement, in smoothies, or as a treat. The ceremony is optional — the quality is the same either way.