Working with Ceremonial Cacao & Recipes
By | More Pleaze Chef Jordan W.
What is a Cacao Ceremony?
At its purest essence, a cacao ceremony can be any type of ceremony in
which a ceremonial cacao beverage is consumed to elevate the spiritual
activity being practiced. This often includes deep meditations or healing
work.
The cacao used in these ceremonies is chocolate in its purest form.
Cacao beans or seeds come from the fruit of the cacao tree and have a distinctly bitter flavor. They’re also chock-full of nutrients, making
cacao a super food that has been used in ceremonies dating back to the
Mayans and Aztecs. Today, the bitter bean has made its way from Latin
America to many corners of the world for casual sipping and
ceremonies alike.
History Ceremonial Cacao:
Pure Ceremonial grade Cacao is a subtle form of plant medicine, which
has been used by tribes and native cultures for centuries. Cacao is a
powerful super food that offers a gentle boost of energy without the
crash of modern stimulating beverages. Cacao is often associated with
the ability to deeply open the heart and go within. Allowing us the
ability to extend that love outward to others. Cacao thrives in tropical
rainforest environments such as Guatemala, Peru, Hawaii, and
Ecuador.
Ceremonial Grade Cacao Uses:
Cacao cuts through the mental clutter, enhancing focus and
concentration while enabling you to hear your heart, making self-
expression, creativity and connection easier and more enjoyable. This
divine super food, plant medicine has many benefits and uses, some of
these include:
- Consciousness & Spirituality
- Workplace Productivity
- Creativity and Art
- Athletics and Physical Training
- Healthy Living
Ceremonial Cacao Base Recipe:
CHEF JORDAN’S CEREMONIAL BLEND
The base recipe Jordan offers in his ceremonies
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 oz cacao paste or fine-ground beans
16 oz. warm water
2 tbsp coconut sugar
2 tbsp coconut butter
METHOD:
1. Mix or froth cacao with hot water and stir
2. Option: Add sweetener of choice and coconut
butter
10 Holistic Benefits of Ceremonial Grade Cacao:
1. Combats fatigue
2. Improves & regulates mood
3. Boosts serotonin levels in the brain
4. Increases blood flow to the skin promoting cell regeneration
5. Abundance of antioxidants prevent premature aging
6. Theo bromine present in cacao eliminates plaque while
strengthening tooth enamel
7. Improves digestion & cognitive function
8. Lower’s bad cholesterol
9. Healthy fat source
10. Removes calcified fluoride in the Pineal Gland (Center of
Creativity/Spirituality)
Culinary Uses for Cacao:
Baked goods, handmade ice creams, homemade truffles,
Click Here to purchase the highest-quality Ceremonial Grade Cacao!
Cacao Mint Ice Cream
Serves 2-4
INGREDIENTS:
1 (14 ounce can full-fat coconut milk (Cold) Almond milk substitute is adequate
3 frozen bananas
¼ teaspoon spirulina (optional, for color)
1 tablespoon maple syrup, honey or other sweetener (Add more if more
sweetness is desired)
¼ cup fresh mint leaves (peppermint suggested)
2 tbsp cacoa powder
Cacoa butter for smoothie/ garnish (optional)
¼ cup (60ml) raw cacao nibs (or grated raw / dark chocolate)
METHOD:
1. Start by adding the coconut milk or desired milk to the blender.
2. Add the bananas, spirulina, if using, maple syrup, fresh mint, and the cacao nibs to the blender and blend until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender if necessary.
3. Taste and add more sweetener or mint, if desired.
4. Add ice and blend to create more of an ice cream like texture if needed. Scoop into bowls, sprinkle the remaining raw cacao nibs generously on top, and enjoy!
5. Garnish with fresh mint sprigs if desired!
Chocolate Avocado Truffles
Yield: 12 Truffles
INGREDIENTS:
6 oz. Cacao Paste or Wafers
1/3 cup mashed avocado (about 1 medium avocado)
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
2 tablespoons cacao powder or nibs, for rolling (optional)
METHOD:
1. Combine the chocolate, vanilla extract and pinch of salt over a double boiler, and melt until
completely smooth.
2. Mash the avocado with a fork until no lumps are visible, then stir it into the melted chocolate
mixture until smooth and thickened. Place in the fridge to set for 20 minutes, or until slightly
firm to the touch.
3. Once the mixture has been chilled and is slightly firm, use a tablespoon to scoop the chocolate
into 12 balls.
4. Place them on a pan lined with parchment paper, and roll the balls between the palms of your
hand to create a smooth surface.
5. Customize/ roll truffle balls in desired ingredients
Note: Some great recommendations are Cacoa powder, toasted coconut, cacoa nibs, chia seeds,
toasted chopped nuts/seeds, nut butter, dried berries, and any super food powder you desire.
Serve at room temperature, but store in the fridge for a shelf life of one week.
Truffles can be frozen to increase the shelf life to 3 months.
Chef Jordan’s relationship with the Cacao Tree:
As a dedicated Plant-Based Holistic Chef, I deeply respect the Cacao tree
and the beautiful fruit it produces. I fell in love with Ceremonial Cacao
about a year ago when I had my first ethically produced high quality
Cacao drink. I resonated with the heart-opening energy it gave me,
along with the focus and mental clarity. I quickly replaced coffee and
tea with Ceremonial Cacao as my morning energizing beverage. As my
love and appreciation for Cacao deepened I began cooking and baking
with Cacao more frequently.
A few months ago an opportunity arose to become a Cacao Practitioner,
with a wonderful company called Keith’s Cacao. As a developing Cacao
Practitioner, I immersed myself in learning everything I could about
Cacao, and how to hold proper Cacao ceremonies. My deep reverence
for Cacao has led me on the journey of now holding my own Cacao
ceremonies and workshops in the community. Here in San Diego, CA, I
have had the opportunity to lead Cacao ceremonies for community
meditation events, men’s warrior retreats, cooking classes, and personal
workshops. If you are looking for pure ceremonial grade Cacao paste or
beans, feel free to use the link I have attached. A discount is
automatically applied using the provided link.
I have attached several Cacao recipes I have created for you to develop a
closer relationship with Cacao. I use these recipes for local events I cater
and cooking classes I hold.
Cheers to Cacao and the wonderful benefits it infuses into our lives.
About the Chef
Hello, I’m Chef Jordan Wagner. I’ve always held a passion for food, even at a young age I had known that I wanted to be a chef. In my life, I’ve strived to be a healthy balanced person, carrying with me a foundation of meditation and spiritual practice. I feel that what we eat is one gateway to achieving this complete nourishment; therefore, it brings me great joy to create flavorful, fresh and wholesome meals. I work closely with farmers who also share my respect and reverence for the oneness of all beings. As a chef with ten years experience and working many angles of the food industry, I am dedicated to creating and teaching others how to prepare food that is conscious and healing. I graduated from Culinary School in San Francisco in 2011 with a Culinary Arts Degree. From there, I worked for restaurants, catering companies, wineries, and retirement communities. I most recently served as an Executive Chef with San Diego State University for the past five years. My other passion is teaching. I offer cooking classes in over twelve different cuisine types. As far as my cooking style goes, I have always enjoyed preparing plant-based and organic dishes with healthy, clean and vibrant ingredients. You can expect to experience dishes full of flavor, utilizing fresh herbs and spices, with a quality presentation to match the taste. Meals I prepare incorporate holistic health with a balance of nutrients, healthy fats, proteins and superfoods.
Interested in joining our Yoga Chef Community? Join our Yoga Chefs Facebook Group to learn more about yogic food, connect with other chefs, and share recipes!
Chef Jordan Wagner
Areas Served
San Diego, CA
Styles of Cuisine Offered
Well Rounded Plant-Based Chef in all Cuisine types and flavor profiles. Jordan has a great deal of experience in non-vegan cooking, and willing to do so if it meets a clients needs. However as a chef, he does focus a majority of his energy on cooking healing Plant Based foods.
