{"product_id":"ceremonial-cacao","title":"ALPAKA Ceremonial Cacao","description":"\u003cp\u003eA one-pound block of 100% cacao, made in small batches at Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe start with cacao beans that were fermented and dried in Guatemala. In our workshop by the lake we sort them, roast them in small batches, crack and winnow away the shells, and grind the nibs for a long time in a melanger, a grinder that turns with stones, until they become a smooth, glossy paste. We pour it into moulds, and every block is then wrapped in kraft paper and sealed in red wax by hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIngredients: cacao. Nothing is added, and the cacao butter that is naturally in the bean stays in, which is why the block melts into a thick, velvety cup. It is unsweetened.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste.\u003c\/strong\u003e Naturally bitter and unsweetened, yet gentle, pleasant and slightly fruity, because it spends a long time in the melanger. The taste varies from batch to batch: each batch carries the flavour of the cacao from its region and harvest, and even beans from the same region differ between batches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYour first cup.\u003c\/strong\u003e A starting point: chop \u003cspan class=\"nw\"\u003e15–20 g\u003c\/span\u003e of cacao, heat \u003cspan class=\"nw\"\u003e150–200 ml\u003c\/span\u003e of water until it is hot but not boiling, add spices and a pinch of salt, a little honey if you like, and blend. One block makes about \u003cspan class=\"nw\"\u003e22–30 cups\u003c\/span\u003e like this. For a ceremony, a serving is about 40 g, so a block makes about 11 ceremonial servings.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKeeps\u003c\/strong\u003e best within 12 months of the batch date, wrapped, cool and dry.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKatya ships every order from Pāhoa, Hawaiʻi with USPS Priority Mail within 1–3 business days, to every US address USPS delivers to, including APO\/FPO\/DPO and US territories.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCacao contains theobromine and a little caffeine; if you’re pregnant, nursing, sensitive to caffeine or take any medication, ask your doctor first.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ALPAKA","offers":[{"title":"Batch 09\/2026","offer_id":49835077730563,"sku":"ALP-CACAO-1LB","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Next batch · pre-order","offer_id":49874743296259,"sku":"ALP-CACAO-1LB-B02","price":40.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0847\/0858\/9827\/files\/alpaka-ceremonial-cacao-blocks.jpg?v=1792190350","url":"https:\/\/alpakacacao.com\/products\/ceremonial-cacao","provider":"ALPAKA Cacao","version":"1.0","type":"link"}