Do cacao and cocoa come from the same plant?

Yes.

Cocoa, cacao powder, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and ceremonial cacao all come from the same tree:

Theobroma cacao. The Latin name Theobroma cacao translates to: “Food of the Gods.”

The difference is not the plant itself — it’s how the cacao is grown, processed, prepared, and experienced.

Just like tea leaves can become green tea, black tea, matcha, or ceremonial tea depending on how they’re handled, cacao transforms depending on the journey from seed to cup.

That’s why a candy bar, raw cacao nibs, and ceremonial cacao can technically come from the same species while creating completely different experiences in the body.

What is cocoa?

“Cocoa” is typically the most processed form of cacao.

Most conventional cocoa products are:

roasted at high temperatures
stripped of much of their natural fat content (cocoa butter)
processed to reduce bitterness
often combined with refined sugar, dairy, emulsifiers, oils, or artificial flavors

This is the version most commonly found in:

hot chocolate mixes
chocolate syrups
candy bars
baking cocoa powders

There’s nothing inherently wrong with enjoying chocolate. But many commercial cocoa products are designed more for sweetness, consistency, and shelf stability than preserving the original integrity of the plant. (If you want the highest quality chocolate products, shop our selection of local chocolatiers in store)

What is regular cacao?

Raw cacao powders, cacao nibs, and high-quality dark chocolate are generally less processed than cocoa.

These products often retain:

more antioxidants
naturally occurring magnesium
iron and trace minerals
deeper flavor complexity
more of the plant’s original compounds

For many people, this is their first introduction to cacao as a wellness food instead of simply a dessert ingredient.

But ceremonial cacao goes even further.

What is ceremonial cacao?

Ceremonial cacao is minimally processed whole-bean cacao (with all the fat and goodness included, think - full spectrum) traditionally prepared for intentional and mindful experiences. The difference is not only what it is — but how it’s approached.

Instead of being consumed quickly or absentmindedly, ceremonial cacao invites you to:

slow down
quiet the mind
reconnect to the body
breathe deeply
and create intentional space for reflection, grounding, creativity, or relaxation

The experience begins before the first sip.

It starts with the aroma — rich floral notes that soften the senses and gently pull you into the present moment. Then comes the warmth, the creaminess, and the grounding feeling many people describe as deeply comforting.

The best way I can describe it?

It feels like a hug from your favorite grandma.

Not stimulating in the frantic coffee sense. Not sedating either. More like a softening. A grounding. A return to yourself.

How to create a cacao ritual at home

One of the biggest misconceptions about ceremony is that it has to be complicated.

It doesn’t. A cacao ritual can be as simple as:

turning your phone off for 10 minutes
preparing your cacao slowly
sitting quietly
setting an intention
journaling
breathing deeply
listening to calming music
stepping outside barefoot
or simply allowing yourself to pause

The ritual is less about performance and more about presence.

In many ways, ceremonial cacao becomes a doorway back into listening to your own body again.

Join us for our Ceremonial Cacao Experience in Atlanta

On Monday, June 1st — the day after this month’s second full moon — we’ll gather at The Living Room Wellness Lounge inside Nuts ’n Berries in Brookhaven, Georgia for a guided: