Behind every cup of cacao lies a subtle and precious molecule: theobromine, literally “the food of the gods.” Naturally present in pure cacao, it supports circulation, relaxes the heart and promotes gentle, long-lasting mental clarity. Unlike caffeine, its energy is calm, grounding and sustained — a living intelligence that nourishes both body and mind.

Cacao and heavy metals: understanding the origins of cadmium, the analysis results for our Raíces Maya ceremonial-grade cacao, and the importance of moderation.

From Linnaeus to ancient gods, the name Theobroma cacao reveals a universe: Mesoamerican myth, colonial distortion and the return of its sacred essence. To explore this name is to enter the living memory of an ancestral master plant.

Why do some cacaos foam more than others? From the molinillo and cacao composition to the science of bubbles, discover what foam can tell us about cacao — and what it can't.

Discovering the molinillo, a traditional cacao utensil. A look at its history, the art of creating foam, and the secrets of its remarkable effectiveness revealed by science.

Switzerland holds a unique place in the cacao world. From industrial giants to historic chocolate houses and emerging bean-to-bar or tree-to-block initiatives, the country mirrors the tensions and transformations shaping today’s global cacao landscape. Understanding these actors reveals how Switzerland continues to influence cacao dynamics through standardisation, craftsmanship and a growing demand for transparency.

Discover the differences between the industrial model, the bean-to-bar movement and the tree-to-block approach—three visions of cacao that reveal different ways of creating value, transforming the bean and preserving its connection to its place of origin.

At the heart of the Amazon basin, where water shapes the forest and clouds rise toward the Andes, cacao was born.

Cacao was not born in open fields, but in the forest. As an understory tree, it lives in shade, in close relationship with living soils, protective trees and the many forms of life around it. Understanding its original habitat already allows us to sense what cacao has to offer. Its quality arises from these living relationships, and its fruit invites deeper connection — with ourselves, with others and with the world.

Ceremonial cacao comes from whole beans hand-harvested, fermented in banana leaves, sun-dried, and never industrially processed. The rare and gentle Criollo variety creates a pure, rich drink full of active compounds that support presence, clarity, and well-being. A cacao that preserves its essence and the bond with those who cultivate it.

Among all the varieties of cacao that the Earth has brought forth, there exists one almost legendary: the Criollo — ancient, delicate, and luminous. Born from the ancestral roots of the Amazon, Criollo blossomed in Mesoamerica, refined by the hands and hearts of the Mayan peoples. Gentle in taste, smooth and radiant, Criollo is ideal for ceremonial cacao — a pure expression of the living spirit of this sacred plant. Criollo is not only a rare cacao; it is a Master Plant, carr

The global cacao system, shaped by colonial structures, is beginning to crack. While profits concentrate at the top, grassroots communities and autonomous farmer collectives are cultivating a new paradigm — ethical, regenerative, rooted in land and sovereignty. Where the Earth leads, a different world begins to take root.

Dans cet entretien avec Sakara, Dominique Ziegler explore l’histoire cachée du cacao, entre mémoire coloniale, conscience et transformation. Il met aussi en lumière le rôle, longtemps occulté, de la Suisse - et de certaines familles helvétiques - dans les économies et les affaires coloniales liées au cacao, révélant ce que le théâtre peut encore rendre visible.

In the heart of the Mother Forest, the Amazon shelters the sacred origins of cacao. A cradle of biodiversity, ancestral memory and guardian peoples, it is the living source from which the story of Theobroma cacao begins — a story that connects us to the Earth and its primordial wisdom.