BT-047 · Malvaceae

Cacao

Theobroma cacao

Evidence: LimitedGenerally safe

Its Latin name, Theobroma, means “food of the gods”.

Other names: Cocoa, cacao
Part used: Beans
Region: Amazon
Use: Food, Ritual and shamanic, Healing

Photo: Flocci Nivis · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

In short

What is Cacao?

Cacao (Theobroma cacao) is a plant of the Malvaceae family. Traditions that use it: Amazon. Part used: beans.

What is Cacao used for?

Traditional use: Cacao was first used about 5,300 years ago by the Mayo-Chinchipe culture in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Scientific evidence: limited. Contains flavanols and theobromine.

Is Cacao safe?

Safety label: generally safe. Safe as food. Theobromine is poisonous to cats and dogs. Strong “ceremonial cacao” can cause palpitations.

Traditional use

Amazon

Cacao was first used about 5,300 years ago by the Mayo-Chinchipe culture in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Amazonian peoples eat the sweet pulp and make drinks from the beans.

Mesoamerica

Among the Maya and Aztecs, cacao drink was offered to the gods and drunk at weddings and ceremonies; the beans were also used as money.

In nature

Where it grows: In the shade of large trees in the Amazon and other tropical regions.
Harvest season: Pods ripen all year; the main harvest is twice a year.
Local names: kakao; local name cacao

Mix-up risk

Ceremonial cacao and processed cocoa powder differ greatly in flavanol and sugar content.

Preparation

Beans are fermented, dried, roasted and ground.

What science says

Contains flavanols and theobromine. High-flavanol cocoa showed small drops in blood pressure and better blood vessel function in controlled trials; the effect largely disappears in sugary chocolate.