Ceremonial Grade Cacao in Modern Life: Why I Believe It Belongs in Our Everyday Routines

There is something I find quite fascinating about the world we live in today. We have more ways to communicate than ever before, more opportunities to work from anywhere, more information available to us within seconds and more ways to fill every spare moment of our lives, yet somehow, so many of us seem to be craving exactly the opposite. A little less noise, a little more time, more meaningful conversations and perhaps, most importantly, a greater sense of connection to ourselves and the people around us.

I think this is one of the reasons I fell in love with ceremonial grade cacao, and why I eventually decided to create my own I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao. I wanted to take something that has such a beautiful history and cultural significance and explore how it could become part of the world we live in today, without losing the qualities that make it so special.

When people hear the words ceremonial cacao, they often imagine a room full of people sitting in a circle, candles burning, perhaps some meditation, music and a rather spiritual atmosphere. And whilst those experiences can be incredibly beautiful (I facilitate them myself and absolutely love them), I think there is a much bigger conversation to be had about cacao and the role it can play in our everyday lives.

Because you don’t have to attend a ceremony to enjoy ceremonial grade cacao. You don’t have to meditate, practise yoga, believe in anything spiritual or have an elaborate morning routine. You can simply enjoy a cup because you love the flavour, because you want an alternative to coffee or because you’d like to take ten minutes out of your day to do something lovely for yourself.

And that, for me, is where things become really interesting.

I believe ceremonial grade cacao has a place in our kitchens, our offices, our friendships, our relationships and those little moments between everything else that makes up modern life. I also believe we can appreciate the science behind this remarkable plant without making exaggerated promises about what it can do.

So I wanted to share some of the ways I think we can bring ceremonial grade cacao into our everyday routines, why I love each of them and how you might begin incorporating I AM BEING cacao into your own life.

1. Replacing your morning coffee with ceremonial grade cacao

I think the most obvious place to start is with coffee, because for so many of us it has become almost inseparable from our morning routine. We wake up, put the kettle on or switch on the coffee machine, and before we’ve even had a moment to consider how we’re feeling or what the day ahead might bring, we’re reaching for something to help us get going.

Now, I am certainly not here to tell anyone that coffee is bad or that they should give it up. I think there is something lovely about a morning coffee, particularly when it’s enjoyed rather than consumed in a rush, but I also think there is room for another option.

One of the reasons I love I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao as an alternative to coffee is its natural composition, particularly the relationship between caffeine and theobromine.

Both caffeine and theobromine belong to a group of compounds called methylxanthines, but they don’t act identically in the body. Caffeine is well known for its effects on alertness, whereas theobromine has a different pharmacological profile and is generally less stimulating to the central nervous system. Cacao naturally contains both, although the amount varies depending on the cacao itself.

Our I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao has been independently tested and contains approximately 1,121.6mg of caffeine per kilogram, which works out at around 22mg in a 20g serving. For context, a typical cup of brewed coffee can contain substantially more caffeine, although the exact amount depends on how it is prepared.

This doesn’t mean cacao is caffeine-free, or that everyone will experience it in the same way, but it does offer an interesting alternative for people who enjoy a warm morning drink and would like to explore something different.

What I particularly love is the preparation. Rather than simply pressing a button on a coffee machine, there is something rather beautiful about warming your milk, adding your cacao and whisking it together. It takes a few minutes, but those few minutes can become a lovely opportunity to think about the day ahead rather than rushing straight into it.

Perhaps you sit down with your cup before opening your emails, or enjoy it while looking out of the kitchen window. Perhaps you write down three things you’d like to achieve that day, or simply allow yourself to enjoy the flavour without doing anything else at the same time.

I often suggest starting with around 15–20g of I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao in the morning, prepared with warm oat milk or water, perhaps with a little cinnamon or vanilla.

And if you love your coffee, you don’t have to choose one or the other forever. Perhaps you have cacao on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, or perhaps you save it for mornings when you know you have a particularly busy day ahead and want to begin a little more intentionally.

I think wellbeing becomes much more enjoyable when we stop treating everything as an all-or-nothing decision.

2. Bringing ceremonial grade cacao into the working day

Having spent many years working in the corporate world before creating I AM BEING, I know only too well what it feels like to spend an entire day moving between meetings, emails, deadlines and conversations, sometimes barely noticing that several hours have passed without taking a proper break.

And I think this is where ceremonial grade cacao has a particularly interesting place in modern life, because it can become something we enjoy at our desks, in our offices or while working from home, rather than something we only associate with wellbeing studios and retreats.

There has been growing scientific interest in cacao flavanols, naturally occurring plant compounds that have been studied for their potential effects on blood vessel function and aspects of cognitive performance. Some research has suggested possible benefits for certain measures of attention and executive function, although results are mixed and it would be misleading to suggest that drinking cacao automatically improves concentration or productivity.

What I find equally interesting, however, is the effect of simply creating a proper pause in the working day.

Imagine you’ve been sitting at your desk for three hours, moving between different tasks, trying to remember what needs to be done and perhaps feeling a little overwhelmed by the number of things competing for your attention. Rather than automatically reaching for another coffee or scrolling through your phone for five minutes, you get up, prepare a cup of cacao and allow yourself a short break.

When you return to your desk, perhaps you take a moment to write down your three priorities for the afternoon, rather than immediately returning to everything at once.

I love the idea of having I AM BEING cacao coins in an office drawer or kitchen cupboard for exactly this reason. Each of our cacao coins weighs approximately 9.5g, so two coins provide around 19g of cacao, making it incredibly easy to prepare a cup without needing to weigh or chop anything.

The coins took six months to develop, and one of my biggest motivations was making ceremonial grade cacao easier to incorporate into everyday life, particularly for people who might otherwise find preparing a traditional cacao block a little inconvenient.

Because whilst I love the deeper ceremonial experience, I also know that sometimes we simply want to make a lovely drink between meetings!

You can explore our I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao and cacao coins online, including our 500g cacao blocks, 500g cacao coins and three-coin travel packs.

3. Using ceremonial grade cacao for meditation and moments of calm

One of the things I always try to communicate through I AM BEING is that meditation doesn’t have to look a certain way, and I think the same is true of ceremonial cacao.

You don’t have to sit cross-legged on the floor for an hour, completely empty your mind or feel that you need to experience something profound. In fact, I think one of the most valuable things we can learn is that we don’t always have to be achieving something, and sometimes the most meaningful thing we can do is simply allow ourselves to be present.

When I facilitate cacao ceremonies in London, I often begin by inviting everyone to hold their cup, notice its warmth, become aware of their breathing and take a moment to consider how they’re feeling before drinking.

It sounds incredibly simple, and it is, but I think that’s part of the beauty of it.

We spend so much of our time thinking about what has happened or what might happen next that we can forget to notice what’s happening right now.

Ceremonial grade cacao can become a lovely part of a meditation practice because preparing and drinking it gives us something tangible to focus on. We can notice the aroma, the temperature, the richness of the flavour and the sensation of holding something warm in our hands.

For anyone who is new to meditation, I often suggest starting with just five or ten minutes. Prepare your cacao, find somewhere comfortable to sit and perhaps ask yourself a simple question such as, “How am I feeling today?” or “What do I need from this moment?”

You might choose to close your eyes, take a few gentle breaths or listen to some quiet music, but there really are no rules.

It’s also important to remember that cacao contains naturally occurring stimulants, so whilst the experience of preparing and drinking it may feel calming, the cacao itself isn’t a sedative. Some people find it enjoyable alongside meditation, whilst others may prefer a smaller serving.

What I love most is that this practice can happen anywhere. In your bedroom before the children wake up, in your garden, in a hotel room when travelling or even at your desk before a difficult meeting.

You don’t need the perfect environment to create a meaningful moment for yourself.

4. Creating an evening routine with cacao, magnesium and relaxation

Something else I find interesting about cacao is its natural magnesium content, particularly because magnesium has become such a widely discussed nutrient in conversations around relaxation, sleep and wellbeing.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in normal muscle function, the nervous system and many other processes throughout the body. Cacao naturally contains magnesium, although the exact amount depends on the product and serving size.

There has also been research into magnesium and sleep, but I think it’s important to be careful about how we interpret this. Whilst magnesium is essential for normal bodily function, the evidence that taking extra magnesium improves sleep is still inconsistent, and we certainly can’t assume that a cup of cacao will help everyone fall asleep.

In fact, because ceremonial grade cacao contains caffeine and theobromine, it can interfere with sleep for people who are sensitive to stimulants, particularly when consumed later in the day.

So when I talk about cacao as part of an evening routine, I’m really talking about the wider experience rather than suggesting it acts as a sleeping aid.

For those who tolerate cacao comfortably in the evening, a small serving of around 5–10g can be a lovely part of winding down, perhaps while reading a book, journalling or simply sitting quietly after a busy day.

I love the idea of creating an evening routine that feels like a transition between everything we’ve been doing and the time we need to rest.

Perhaps you put your phone away, dim the lights, have a warm bath and prepare a small cup of cacao. You might reflect on what went well that day, what you’re grateful for or what you would like to leave behind rather than carrying into tomorrow.

And if you know that caffeine affects your sleep, I would recommend choosing a caffeine-free evening drink instead.

I think one of the most important parts of wellbeing is understanding that what works for one person may not work for another, and learning to listen to our own bodies rather than following every trend we see online.

5. Sharing ceremonial grade cacao with friends and the fascinating chemistry of happiness

This is probably one of my favourite ways to enjoy ceremonial grade cacao, because I believe so deeply in the importance of human connection.

We live in a world where we can message someone in seconds, see what they’re doing through social media and feel as though we’re constantly in touch, but that doesn’t always mean we’re experiencing the kind of connection that really matters.

Sometimes we need to sit together, laugh together, have meaningful conversations and feel that someone is genuinely listening.

And I think cacao can become a lovely part of creating those opportunities.

One of the things that makes cacao particularly fascinating is its natural chemical composition. Alongside theobromine and caffeine, cacao contains or provides compounds associated with the body’s neurotransmitter systems, including phenylethylamine, tryptophan and small quantities of anandamide-related substances.

Phenylethylamine is sometimes referred to as the “love chemical” because of its relationship with certain neurotransmitter pathways, whilst tryptophan is an essential amino acid that the body uses to produce serotonin. Anandamide is associated with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a role in several physiological processes.

You may have heard these described as cacao’s “happy chemicals”, and whilst I understand why people find that idea so appealing, I think it’s important to recognise that the presence of these compounds doesn’t mean drinking cacao will automatically make us happier or cause a particular emotional response.

Many are present in small quantities, and the way they are digested, metabolised and used by the body is complex.

There is some interesting research suggesting that cocoa-rich foods may have modest effects on mood, although the evidence is still developing and shouldn’t be interpreted as proof that ceremonial cacao treats anxiety, depression or other mental health conditions.

But beyond all of that science, there is something I think we can all recognise: spending meaningful time with people we care about can make us feel good.

And that is where I believe ceremonial grade cacao really comes into its own.

Imagine inviting a few friends over on a Sunday afternoon, preparing a beautiful pot of I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao and sitting around the kitchen table together. Perhaps you put some music on, light a candle or simply enjoy the conversation.

You might ask everyone what they’re looking forward to, what’s been happening in their lives or whether there’s anything they’d love a little support with.

Or perhaps you just laugh and talk for hours, which is equally wonderful.

You don’t need to turn it into a formal ceremony, and you certainly don’t need to make everyone set intentions if that isn’t their thing!

Sometimes the intention is simply to spend time together.

And in a world where so many of our relationships are maintained through screens, I think there is something very special about creating more opportunities to connect in person.

6. Using ceremonial cacao to create more connection in relationships

I often describe ceremonial cacao as a drink for connection, and I think it’s important to explain what I mean by that, because I’m certainly not suggesting that cacao is going to fix relationship difficulties, make someone fall in love with you or suddenly create emotional intimacy where it doesn’t exist.

What it can do is become part of a setting where we make time for one another, and sometimes that is something our relationships are missing.

Whether you’re in a romantic relationship, building a new friendship or wanting to reconnect with someone in your family, life has a way of becoming incredibly busy.

We can spend so much time discussing work, children, household responsibilities and everything that needs organising that we forget to ask each other how we’re actually feeling.

One idea I particularly love is replacing the occasional evening glass of wine with two cups of ceremonial cacao and making a little time to sit together without distractions.

Perhaps you sit on the sofa, put your phones away and spend twenty minutes talking about something other than the practicalities of everyday life.

You might ask your partner what they’ve enjoyed most about the week, what they’re looking forward to or whether there’s something they’d love to do together.

It doesn’t have to be serious or emotional, and there doesn’t need to be a particular outcome. Sometimes just having that uninterrupted time together is enough.

I also think cacao can be lovely for friendships that have become a little distant, perhaps because everyone is busy or life has taken people in different directions.

Rather than arranging another rushed coffee between appointments, you could invite someone over for cacao and a proper catch-up.

And of course, connection doesn’t only mean romantic relationships or friendships. It also means the relationship we have with ourselves.

I think we sometimes spend so much time looking for reassurance, validation or understanding from other people that we forget to give ourselves the same attention.

Perhaps your cacao date is simply with yourself, sitting quietly and thinking about what you need, what matters to you and how you’d like to move forward.

I think that can be just as meaningful.

7. Ceremonial grade cacao as an alternative to alcohol and traditional social occasions

Something I have noticed increasingly is that people are looking for different ways to socialise, celebrate and spend time together without everything revolving around alcohol.

And whilst there is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a glass of wine if that’s what you choose, I think it’s wonderful that we’re beginning to explore other options.

Ceremonial grade cacao can be a lovely alternative for a dinner party, birthday celebration, hen party, friendship gathering or even a quiet evening at home.

One of the things I enjoy most about working with cacao is how versatile it is, because you can create completely different experiences depending on how you prepare it and what you want the occasion to feel like.

For example, you could host a cacao tasting evening where everyone tries different flavour combinations. Perhaps one cup is prepared with cinnamon and vanilla, another with cardamom and a third with a little chilli.

You could talk about the origins of the cacao, explore its flavour profile and encourage everyone to notice the differences between each preparation.

Or perhaps you create something more reflective, where everyone takes a few moments to write down something they’re grateful for or something they’re looking forward to.

In my private cacao experiences, I often incorporate journalling, guided meditation, breathwork and immersive sound baths, particularly for birthdays, friendship groups and hen parties, but I also love the idea of cacao being enjoyed without any additional activities at all.

Sometimes a beautiful drink, good company and a few hours together are more than enough.

I think the important thing is recognising that celebration can take many different forms, and that we don’t always need to associate a special occasion with drinking alcohol.

Sometimes celebration can simply mean connection, laughter and being present with the people we love.

8. Bringing ceremonial grade cacao into journalling, creativity and intention-setting

I have always loved journalling, partly because I think writing gives us an opportunity to explore thoughts and feelings that we might otherwise carry around without really understanding.

When we’re busy, it’s incredibly easy to move from one thing to another without stopping to reflect on what we’re experiencing, what we’ve achieved or what we might need to change.

And I think ceremonial grade cacao can be a lovely companion to that process.

There is something rather comforting about sitting down with a warm cup, opening a notebook and allowing yourself to write without worrying too much about whether what you’re saying makes sense.

Perhaps you want to reflect on the week you’ve had, explore something that’s been troubling you or think about what you’d like to achieve in the coming months.

Perhaps you’re going through a period of change, whether that’s a new career, a relationship ending, starting a business or simply feeling that something in your life needs to shift.

I think creating space to understand those feelings can be incredibly valuable.

For anyone who enjoys manifestation or intention-setting, cacao can also become part of that practice, although I tend to think of manifestation in a practical and grounded way.

For me, it isn’t about believing that something will magically happen simply because we think about it. It’s about understanding what we want, recognising why it matters and beginning to take steps towards creating it.

Perhaps you prepare your cacao on a Sunday morning and write down three things you’d love to achieve in the week ahead, along with one small action you can take towards each of them.

Or perhaps you simply ask yourself what you’d like more of in your life and what you might need to make less space for.

I also love cacao as part of creative work, whether that’s writing, designing, painting, planning a new project or exploring ideas for a business.

Whilst we can’t say that cacao itself makes us more creative, I do think that creating uninterrupted time for reflection and concentration can be enormously helpful.

And sometimes the simple act of making a warm drink, clearing your desk and giving yourself permission to think can be the beginning of something wonderful.

9. Combining ceremonial grade cacao with yoga, movement and wellbeing

As someone who practises and teaches several wellbeing modalities, including yoga, meditation, breathwork, Reiki and sound healing, I have always been interested in how different practices can complement one another.

But I also think it’s important that we don’t turn wellbeing into another long list of things we feel we should be doing.

You don’t need to wake up at five in the morning, drink cacao, meditate for thirty minutes, practise yoga, journal, take a cold shower and complete a breathwork session before breakfast to be looking after yourself!

Sometimes we can make wellbeing so complicated that it becomes another source of pressure, which rather defeats the point.

What I love about ceremonial grade cacao is that it can sit alongside the practices you already enjoy, without requiring you to change everything.

Perhaps you enjoy a small cup before a gentle morning yoga session, or perhaps you finish a restorative practice with cacao and a few moments of quiet reflection.

If you enjoy meditation, you might incorporate cacao before beginning, allowing yourself time to arrive and settle.

For those who enjoy exercise, cacao can also be part of a pre-workout routine, although it shouldn’t be treated as a proven performance-enhancing product. Its natural caffeine and theobromine content may feel stimulating, but the effect varies between individuals, and cacao also contains fat and energy, so portion size and timing are worth considering.

When I facilitate cacao ceremonies in London, I often bring together cacao, gentle movement, meditation, breathwork and sound, but I always encourage people to find the practices that genuinely resonate with them.

Some people love stillness, whilst others need movement. Some find sound incredibly relaxing, whilst others prefer silence.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to wellbeing, and I think that’s something we should embrace.

The same applies to cacao. You might love drinking it before meditation, whilst someone else might prefer enjoying it at their desk or sharing it with friends.

All of those experiences are equally valid.

10. Making ceremonial grade cacao part of everyday life, family moments and celebrations

One of my biggest hopes for I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao is that it becomes something people genuinely enjoy incorporating into their everyday lives, rather than something they feel they need to save for a special occasion.

I love the idea of cacao becoming part of the way we welcome people into our homes, celebrate small moments and show care for one another.

Perhaps you have a friend who has had a difficult week, and rather than meeting somewhere busy, you invite them over, make two cups of cacao and give them your time.

Perhaps you’re celebrating a birthday and decide to create a beautiful cacao experience instead of the usual drinks.

Or perhaps you simply enjoy making a cup for yourself on a Sunday morning when you have nowhere to rush to.

I think these small moments are often the ones that stay with us.

We tend to associate meaningful experiences with holidays, special occasions and big life events, but so much of our happiness and sense of connection comes from ordinary moments that we sometimes barely notice.

Making someone a warm drink, asking them to sit down and giving them your full attention can be a lovely way of showing care.

And whilst I love the idea of cacao becoming part of family traditions, it is worth remembering that ceremonial grade cacao is a concentrated product containing caffeine and theobromine, so adult ceremonial servings shouldn’t automatically be given to children. For younger family members, a conventional, age-appropriate cocoa drink may be a more suitable choice.

For adults, however, there are so many lovely ways to enjoy it, whether that’s warm with oat milk, prepared traditionally with water, lightly spiced with cinnamon or served chilled during the warmer months.

And I think that’s what makes cacao so exciting. It can be as simple or as elaborate as you want it to be.

What makes I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao different?

If you’re new to ceremonial cacao, you might be wondering what makes it different from ordinary cocoa powder or hot chocolate, and I think this is a really important question because the term ceremonial grade is becoming increasingly popular.

Unlike some regulated food classifications, ceremonial grade cacao isn’t a legally standardised grading system, which means it’s important to look beyond the words on the packaging and understand what you’re actually buying.

I always encourage people to ask where their cacao comes from, how it is grown, what ingredients it contains and whether the company is transparent about its sourcing and quality.

Our I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao comes from Flores Island in Indonesia, where cacao is grown within a multi-layered forest agroforestry environment, without chemical inputs.

The cacao is carefully fermented and processed to create a beautifully smooth, rich flavour, with soft notes of vanilla and warm spice and a lovely lingering finish.

Unlike many commercial hot chocolate mixes, our cacao contains just one ingredient: 100% cacao mass.

There is no added sugar, no dairy and no additional flavouring, which means you can prepare it exactly as you like.

It is naturally vegan, dairy-free and gluten-free, and because it retains its natural cocoa butter, it creates a beautifully rich and satisfying drink.

We also have independent laboratory testing for our cacao, including its caffeine content and heavy metals, because I believe transparency and understanding what we’re consuming are incredibly important.

When I created I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao, I wanted something that felt uncomplicated, thoughtfully sourced and genuinely enjoyable to drink.

I didn’t want people to feel that they needed to understand complicated terminology or follow a particular lifestyle to appreciate it.

I wanted to create a cacao that people could enjoy because it tastes beautiful, because they appreciate where it comes from and because they love the moments it helps them create.

Why I created I AM BEING ceremonial cacao coins

When we began developing our cacao coins, I had one very simple intention: I wanted to make ceremonial grade cacao easier to use.

I love traditional cacao blocks, and we continue to offer our 500g block, but I also understand that people lead busy lives and don’t always want to chop and weigh cacao before preparing a drink.

Sometimes you want something quick and convenient that you can make before work, take with you when travelling or enjoy between meetings.

Our cacao coins took six months to develop, and I am so proud of the finished result.

Each coin weighs approximately 9.5g, making it incredibly easy to prepare different serving sizes without needing scales.

One coin provides a smaller cup, two coins give you around 19g and three coins provide approximately 28.5g, which can be useful for people who enjoy larger servings as part of their meditation or ceremonial practice.

We also created a three-coin travel pack, because I wanted people to be able to take cacao wherever life happens to take them.

Whether that’s to work, on holiday, to a friend’s house or simply somewhere you know you’d love to enjoy a beautiful cup.

For me, the coins represent something much bigger than convenience. They represent the idea that ceremonial grade cacao belongs in modern life, and that enjoying something beautiful doesn’t have to be complicated.

You can explore our I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao coins, travel packs and cacao blocks through our online shop.

How much ceremonial grade cacao should you drink?

One of the questions I am asked most often is how much ceremonial grade cacao someone should drink, and the answer really depends on the individual, their tolerance and how they want to enjoy it.

For I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao, I generally suggest around 10–15g as an introductory everyday serving, increasing to approximately 15–25g for people who enjoy a larger morning or daytime cup.

For meditation and cacao ceremonies, servings of around 30–35g are sometimes used, although these are larger amounts and certainly aren’t necessary to enjoy the experience.

For those who tolerate cacao comfortably later in the day, a smaller serving of around 5–10g may be preferable, but I would always remind people that cacao contains natural stimulants and may affect sleep.

These are general serving ideas rather than medically established doses, and I would always recommend starting small, particularly if you’re new to cacao.

It is also important to consider individual circumstances. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have certain heart conditions, are sensitive to stimulants or take medications that may interact with cacao’s constituents should seek appropriate medical advice before consuming larger amounts.

This is particularly relevant for people taking certain antidepressants, including MAO inhibitors, and anyone taking SSRIs who has concerns about potential interactions should check with their pharmacist or prescribing clinician.

I think one of the most important things we can do is remember that more isn’t always better, and that cacao should be something we enjoy in a way that feels appropriate for our own bodies.

How to prepare I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao at home

One of the loveliest things about ceremonial grade cacao is how simple it can be to prepare, and you certainly don’t need specialist equipment or an elaborate ceremony to make a beautiful cup.

For an everyday serving, I generally recommend starting with around 15–20g of I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao and adding approximately 150–200ml of warm water or your favourite milk.

I personally love oat milk, but cacao is equally beautiful prepared with water, particularly if you enjoy a richer, more traditional flavour.

You can gently warm your liquid, add your cacao and whisk or blend everything together until smooth, avoiding vigorously boiling the finished drink.

If you enjoy a little sweetness, you can add a small amount of your preferred sweetener, or experiment with cinnamon, vanilla, cardamom or even a little chilli.

I think the most important thing is finding a preparation you genuinely enjoy, because there is no point forcing yourself to drink something a particular way simply because someone has told you that’s how it should be done.

And whilst I love the traditional elements of cacao preparation, I also think there is something wonderful about making it accessible and practical for modern life.

If you have five minutes before work, make your cacao in five minutes. If you have an hour on a Sunday morning and want to enjoy a longer, more reflective experience, do that instead.

Both are beautiful ways to enjoy it.

Bringing ceremonial grade cacao into the modern world

When I think about the future of ceremonial grade cacao, I don’t imagine a world where everyone suddenly starts attending ceremonies, meditating every morning or following elaborate wellbeing routines.

I imagine something much simpler, and perhaps much more meaningful.

I imagine cacao sitting alongside coffee and tea as a drink that people genuinely enjoy. I imagine someone preparing a cup before a busy working day, a group of friends sharing cacao around a kitchen table, a couple making time to reconnect and someone sitting quietly with their journal on a Sunday morning.

I imagine people choosing cacao because they love the flavour, appreciate its origins, enjoy its natural composition and value the experience of taking a little time for themselves.

And I imagine more people understanding that ceremonial grade cacao isn’t reserved for a particular type of person or a particular kind of experience.

You don’t have to be spiritual, you don’t have to meditate, you don’t have to practise yoga and you certainly don’t have to attend a ceremony to enjoy it.

You can simply make a beautiful cup and enjoy it in whatever way feels right for you.

Of course, for those who want to explore cacao in a more immersive setting, I absolutely love bringing people together through my I AM BEING cacao ceremonies in London, where we combine ceremonial cacao with meditation, breathwork, journalling and sound to create space for connection and reflection.

But I have always believed that the real value of those experiences isn’t only what happens during the ceremony itself. It’s what we take away and bring back into our everyday lives.

Perhaps we become a little more aware of how we’re feeling, perhaps we make more time for our friendships, perhaps we begin to appreciate the importance of slowing down or perhaps we simply discover a new morning drink that we really love.

All of those things matter.

Because I don’t believe wellbeing should be something we only experience on a retreat, in a studio or during an occasional weekend away. I believe it should be something we can weave gently into the lives we’re already living, in ways that feel enjoyable, accessible and sustainable.

And that is exactly what I hope to encourage through I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao.

Not another thing to do, another routine to perfect or another expectation to place upon ourselves, but simply more opportunities to pause, connect and enjoy being here.

Because sometimes the smallest moments, shared with ourselves or with the people we love, can become the most meaningful ones.

Being and being together.

With love,

Gizelle xx

Founder of I AM BEING

Discover I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao

Whether you’re looking to replace your morning coffee, create a more mindful daily routine, share something beautiful with friends or explore the deeper experience of cacao through meditation and ceremony, I would love to welcome you into the world of I AM BEING.

Shop I AM BEING ceremonial grade cacao in the UK

Discover our 100% ceremonial grade cacao from Flores Island, Indonesia, available as traditional 500g cacao blocks, convenient 500g cacao coins and three-coin travel packs.

Explore I AM BEING cacao ceremonies in London

Join me for cacao ceremonies, guided meditation, breathwork, sound baths and other wellbeing experiences, or enquire about creating a completely bespoke private experience for yourself, friends or colleagues.

Discover I AM BEING cacao practitioner training

For those who would love to deepen their understanding of ceremonial cacao, its history, composition, ethical sourcing and responsible facilitation, explore our immersive cacao practitioner training.

And if you have any questions about ceremonial grade cacao, how to prepare it or how to incorporate it into your everyday life, please do reach out to me at gizelle@iambeing.co.uk. I always love hearing from you.

I AM BEING — Being and being together.