First of all, the quantities that come in these Ora Cacao packets are silly. They say the recommended dose is 20-25 discs, and the packets have just over 30 discs. (33 in the one I opened.) So youâre buying a dose and a half.
Therefore, to have this in 25 disc doses, if all packets come with 33, you would need three packets to break even. (And the last dose would be 24.) They likely wonât be 33 exactly every time, though, since theyâre packaged by weight.
That being said, what I bought is basically a sampling kit, and they are usually sold by the pound. So, theyâll probably be better value once I make the switch. (But I wonât because I want to shop locally, and Ora Cacao is based in the US.)
On the bright side⊠The discs melt really easily. Remember to use water around 80°C (180°F).
They taste pretty good with a little bit of honey. (Honey is okay to add, Iâve been reading. And Ora Cacao recommends it on the packaging.)
The effects are not as strong as what I got from The Cacao Club. Iâd gone all weekend without any cacao, but itâs still possible that Iâve gotten used to it. When I have some more Cacao Club tomorrow, weâll see if thatâs the case, or if these are just a bit weaker. These are mixed with quite a few other ingredients, so itâs possible that they detract from it a little. But more experimentation will tell.
After experimenting with several brands and varieties of ceremonial cacao, some of which I havenât had the chance to detail here, I felt compelled to share a couple of insights from my journey. My brief visit today is to underline two key discoveries that have significantly shaped my cacao experience.
To begin with, Iâve learned that simplicity reigns supreme when it comes to selecting cacao. The allure of exotic-sounding varieties like Mystical Mushroom or Tantric Rose Blossom might be tempting, but they often fall short of the mark compared to the pure, undiluted essence of cacao. Thereâs a certain charm to a blend thatâs straightforward, maybe with the slightest hint of something extra, like ashwagandha, which subtly complements without overshadowing the cacaoâs inherent richness. My advice? When youâre on the hunt for cacao, less is more. Stick to the basics, and you wonât be disappointed.
Equally important is the ritual surrounding its consumption. Itâs not just about drinking the cacao; the transformative power lies in how you engage with it. Merely sipping on cacao without a moment of reflection or meditation is like skimming the surface of a lake without appreciating its depth. Meditation, perhaps accompanied by music or the ambient glow of candles, can elevate the experience, creating a space for inner exploration and tranquillity. Even if all you can manage is a few minutes of meditation, itâs a crucial step towards unlocking the full potential of ceremonial cacao.
I promise to circle back and share more about the other brands Iâve explored. For now, these two pearls of wisdom are what I felt most compelled to pass along.
Okay, hereâs an update with some quick thoughts about the cacao Iâve been drinking since starting this cacao journey.
Cacao Review: Round 1
The Cacao Club is great.
Even if itâs not the ceremonial cacao disc, their cacao blends are wonderful. I used the Calm blend a lot. It was easy to make, didnât clump at all, and was always very soothing and tasty, making it great for a really easy and quick to make cacao drink.
However, the price is expensive at $50 AU ($32 US) for 250g, and thatâs why it loses a star.
For the disc, youâll have to exercise a bit more care. Use 90°C (194°F) water, break it up with a spoon or even blend it beforehand, and then add warm milk afterwards, if you desire.
At $16 AU ($10 US) per disc, thatâs between $4 and $8 per dose, depending on whether you use 1/4 or 1/2 of the disc. But, the ceremonial cacao disc is a truly wonderful, connecting, and calming experience. So I think I will get more in the future, but not often. Maybe every quarter or something at most.
Ora Cacao has too many frills.
The flavours are unnecessarily distracting and I donât actually find them pleasant at all. At $50 AU for 450g ($32 US), itâs a better price than The Cacao Club, but if these two were my only choices, Iâd still go Cacao Club and just have it less regularly.
Making it isnât the easiest, either. They come as discs, so youâll have to blend them in some way for the best result. Either way, youâll want to them mix them with hot water, probably 90°C (194°F), before adding warm milk.
Alternatively, you could just eat the little discs as a treat instead of making a drink. But still⊠I think if this were the only cacao I had tried, Iâd give it more stars. But the others outshine it so much that I canât recommend it.
Soma Cacao is an instant favourite.
This one is my current go-to. Itâs a wonderful blend and feels great, like The Cacao Club. The value is better given that weâre looking at $65 AU ($42 US) for 500g, which is twice as much for only $15 more.
Although it requires a bit more care not to have everything clumped at the bottom. Mix with 90°C (194°F) water before adding heated milk for best results.
This store also has some extra âtoolsâ that are quite nice, such as various mists, essences, and handmade incense. I will have to try them a report back about those, too.
Cacao Collective is also wonderful.
Everything Iâve said about Soma Cacao goes the same for this one. And itâs even cheaper than Soma Cacao at $54.50 AU ($35 US) for a 500g bag.
So why buy Soma Cacao at all? Well, theyâre not exactly the same. I think this one is a little more mild, but not really noticeably so. I might alternate between the two. But then again, I also want to explore some more brands so that I have some more comparisons, too.
It has the same careful heat instructions as the others.
Iâm back for another round of reviews! Well, review. It goes without saying that this continues to be my opinion. But I endeavour to be consistent, so you know that even if you vehemently disagree, you can still find use in these (by basically doing the opposite of what I do, for example).
Om Cacao is smooth af, but the other flavours take over.
What I said about the flavours of Ora Cacao here goes the same for Om Cacao â âThe flavours are unnecessarily distracting and I donât actually find them pleasant.â However, I understand the combinations and the benefits they try to provide. And do keep in mind that I really dislike chai tea, so if you are the opposite and love it, I do encourage giving the Ora Cacao and Om Cacao versions with cinnamon a try â you might like them.
The price is steep at $34.95 AU for 100g ($22 US), however. So times that by 2.5, 4.5, or 5 for an equivalent with the above, and you can see itâs the most expensive so far.
That being said, making it is easy. Itâs ground so well that itâs very easy to mix with warm milk. Is this convenience worth the price difference? Probably not. But if you enjoy the taste the most, then this is worth a try.
@CelestiaMoon Aww. Iâm glad. You got me onto this wild ride in the first place, too! So if you hated them, Iâd have to start calling you Frankenstein 'cause youâre the one who created this cacao monster.
Anyway, just dropping by because this landed in my inbox and I thought it was interesting:
Unveiling The Antioxidant Power Of Cacao
A Shield Against Free Radicals
Cacao, in its purest form, is rich in flavonoids - powerful antioxidants known for their ability to neutralise free radicals in the body. These free radicals are rogue molecules that can damage cells, leading to premature-ageing and various diseases
Heart Health Hero
The antioxidants in cacao donât stop at just battling free radicals; theyâre also champions of heart health. Flavonoids improve nitric oxide levels in the blood, which relaxes and dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering blood pressure. There have been numerous studies that have shown the impact of consuming cacao daily on heart health and heart disease prevention.
Inflammationâs Natural Nemesis
Chronic inflammation is a silent adversary, underlying many chronic diseases. Thanks to its high antioxidant profile, cacao has a tremendous anti-inflammatory effect. Research conducted by the University of California has illuminated the potent effects of consuming flavanol-rich cacao, revealing that ingesting it twice daily can effectively double the bodyâs stem cell count. These stem cells are invaluable in the fight against inflammation, as they release a spectrum of bioactive molecules, including cytokines and growth factors, which not only directly mitigate inflammation but also foster healing and the repair of tissues.
Guardian of Cognitive Function
The brain, with its intricate web of neurons and synapses, is particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress. Cacaoâs antioxidants are vigilant guardians of cognitive health, enhancing blood flow to the brain and fostering a nurturing environment for mental acuity.
A Beacon of Emotional Wellbeing
Beyond the physical, the antioxidants in cacao touch the realms of emotional health. By reducing oxidative stress, they indirectly contribute to mood regulation and emotional balance. Cacao becomes not just a food for the body but a tonic for the soul, a gentle reminder that wellness is a harmonious blend of the physical and emotional.
I was playing Letâs Groove and doing the skeleton dance for 5 minutes straight. Iâve now turned the music off to go to sleep and my partner is humming it in its absence.
Me: trying to sleep.
My partner: singing about what theyâre doing with a bit of the Seinfeld theme snuck in between actions.
Raven: running around doing battle cries.
now.
So if you hated them, Iâd have to start calling you Frankenstein 'cause youâre the one who created this cacao monster. 
My precious cacao! All over the floor!