Soul Lift Cacao

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Ceremonial cacao, artisanal drinking chocolate, and direct trade goods

11/06/2026

Note from Nick: Recently I visited the biggest art museum in my hometown – the Detroit Institute of Arts. They have a large Native American collection with exhibits about various indigenous cultures from the Western Hemisphere.

I was surprised to see that they not only had some Mayan artifacts, but even some that were specifically used for cacao. This is really one of the most unique cacao vessels I’ve ever seen. It clearly shows the cacao glyph (center in the first and second slides) in the typical style from the “Classic Period.” But also incredible turquoise paint as well as carved patterns.

According to the display, it was buried with a noble figure and found with cacao seeds inside, and the other glyphs refer to sky, earth, underworld and more. There are many such documented cases where cacao was thought to assist in somebody’s journey to the afterlife.

While it’s incredible to see in person, it’s also important to question the path that it took from its origin. This one is “unprovenanced,” meaning the country of origin isn’t even known for sure. The time has come to have more discussions about how to bring restitution for the harms that have been caused for centuries in countries with a pre-Hispanic sacred connection to cacao.

Sourcing cacao that’s made by indigenous artisans in the growing country is one of the best ways to bring restorative justice. Our model sends an average of 17x the “”fair trade”” rate back to the source country while helping to preserve indigenous traditions.

Let us know what you think in the comments.

11/01/2026

Día de los Mu***os is a beautiful, sacred Mexican tradition of remembrance and love. As a brand dedicated to sharing authentic ceremonial cacao, we want to look back and honor its deeply rooted history.

In the traditional ofrendas (altars), cacao is often placed to nourish the souls of loved ones during their annual visit, acting as a symbol of comfort, connection, and sacred hospitality. In some communities there are special recipes with cacao that are only prepared for Day of the Dead.

We approach this season with deep gratitude and respect for the Mesoamerican indigenous communities who have preserved these traditions for generations.

Nick took these photos and videos mindfully at the Panteón Municipal de Santa María Atzompa during our cacao & culture tour in Oaxaca in fall 2024. Unfortunately not everyone enters the cemeteries respectfully. These aren’t theme parks – they’re real communities.

It was amazing to be welcomed into people’s homes where they gave a detailed presentation of their ofrendas and shared stories about their loved ones. That’s the unique spirit of Mexico that is alive and well.

How are you honoring your ancestors this year? Let us know in the comments.

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10/30/2026

Repost from 2024: Tata Izaias and Nana Izabel of Lavalove Cacao - Ceremonial Cacao express their gratitude to Nick and Soul Lift Cacao • Ceremonial Cacao for our many years of working together. We’re grateful for them too! Their cacao always has such a consistent flavor and energy. Plus they go above and beyond to pay workers fairly. As a thank you to the community, they will lead an online cacao ceremony at 5pm Guatemala/Central time on Sunday, November 8. Register at the link in the Soul Lift Cacao • Ceremonial Cacao bio.

10/26/2026

The Ruk'u'x Ulew • Ceremonial Cacao women’s collective is such a unique and special place. Located on the northern shore of Lake Atitlan, in the the predominantly Kaq’chikel Maya village of San Marcos la Laguna, Guatemala, is this cacao workshop 100% owned and operated by women.

Cecilia Mendoza Chiyal started the brand about a decade ago after serendipity led her to began working with cacao. The mission evolved to provide safe and reliable working environment to women from San Marcos and the neighboring village of San Pablo la Laguna. The women also get free lunch any day they work.

These things are not trivial. Poverty is rampant in Guatemala, like many countries in Latin America. When Nick visits, they literally thank him for their work. Some brands using “ceremonial cacao” branding are importing cacao seeds to be processed in a factory in the U.S., Europe, Australia or anywhere else. But that cuts these indigenous people out of the process – and also out of the financial pie.

Soul Lift Cacao • Ceremonial Cacao products send an average of 17x the “fair trade” rate back to the source country because the cacao is made mostly by hand in the same country where it grows. So our mission isn’t just to share incredible cacao; it’s also a humanitarian mission to right the wrongs that have been caused over centuries of oppression and exploitation. Restorative justice has never tasted, smelled, or felt so good!

Ruk’u’x Ulew is our longest-running source partner. We have been carrying this cacao since Nick officially founded the business in 2018, over eight years ago. With their permission we sell it under the English translation: Heart of the Earth. Sales have been slow this year due to international factors, so every sale helps to support these women. Thank you for “voting with your dollar”!

10/19/2026

Join us for a 4-part online course with Efrén Hernandez Maldonado, also known as Abuelo Efrén.

He’s an 11th-generation cacao guardian from the Maya Yokot’an culture of Tabasco, Mexico, and a rare authority on the spiritual history of cacao in southeastern Mexico.

He brings the unique experience combined from his work as a Mayan spiritual guide and also a cacao farmer.

More than a farmer, Abuelo Efrén’s “cacaotal” (cacao grove) is more like an arboretum where he works to preserve native cacao varieties and care for the land using ancient wisdom. He shares el Grano de Oro cacao with us made only of native varieties.

In each of the four sessions in this course, he will talk about the different “houses” of cacao, what that means in his culture, and how it can influence how we connect with cacao. We’ll meet over Zoom on Tuesday evenings starting October 27.

The course will be in Spanish with live translation to English. Recordings will be made available to those who register for the whole course. Early Bird discount is available til 11:59pm PT on Tues, Oct 20.

Individual class sign-ups are also available – and we’re offering the first session for FREE! Register here: https://soulliftcacao.com/collections/ceremonial-cacao-ceremony-events/products/cosmovision-of-cacao-maya-yokotan-culture-abuelo-efren

10/16/2026

Fun times in Salt Lake City! Nick and Delady crossed paths on their fall tours – his for guided cacao tastings and hers for ecstatic dance. So they got together to talk and enjoy cacao.

It was all filmed and we’ll be sharing glimpses in a few different ways. Delady is a little quiet because she was holding the microphone to record various parts of making cacao for a fun surprise to come.

In this clip we’re smelling Mitla and El Grano de Oro, two Mexican cacao varieties we carry that are very different but both have an incredible story.

Delady’s reaction says it all! Even just smelling authentic ceremonial cacao can send a wave of cacao energy through our nervous system. ✨

Nick also talks about all the various steps in which small differences can lead to big changes in the final product.

You can find both these cacao varieties in the Soul Lift Cacao • Ceremonial Cacao bio link. DELADY is still on a U.S. tour with upcoming dates in Mt. Shasta CA and Ashland OR.

Music: Metamorphases by Delady and the Love Faery (Tatiana | The Love Faery) available on Bandcamp

10/12/2026

SOUL LIFT CACAO SUMMIT | PALENQUE, MEXICO
January 20–24, 2027

Join us for five unforgettable days of cacao, ceremony, cultural exchange, and exploration in the heart of the Mayan world.

We’re bringing together indigenous elders and representatives who carry a lineage of cacao spirituality, at the ancient Mayan city of Palenque.

There will also be a day trip to the hidden archaeological sites of Yaxchilán and Bonampák, where barely anyone visits and the energy is spectacular.

We mentioned this vision over the summer but it needed more time to take root. After leading nearly 10 cacao tours in Guatemala and Mexico, Nick felt inspired to create a new kind of immersion. Now the time is here – and the application is open!

Apply before the end of October to take advantage of the Early Bird discount. And people from Latin America who also live there can receive an additional discount.

Visit the link in our bio to learn more and apply.

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10/07/2026

There are many reasons to love cacao.
One of the most beautiful is that cacao has never really been about the cacao alone.
It has always been connected to people.

1. CACAO CONNECTS US TO PLACE.
Every cacao has a story of where it comes from: its trees, land, people, and traditions.

2. CACAO HAS THEOBROMINE.
Cacao naturally contains more theobromine than caffeine, giving it a very different kind of stimulation.

3. CACAO MAKES SPACE FOR PRESENCE.
A warm cup, a quiet moment, an open heart. Sometimes cacao simply gives us a reason to slow down and notice how we feel.

Cacao is love.

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10/04/2026

“But… I thought cacao would taste like hot chocolate?”

We get this question a lot.

The confusion makes sense. In everyday language, cacao, cocoa, and chocolate often get used interchangeably.

But they’re not quite the same thing.

Soul Lift’s ceremonial cacao is 100% pure cacao paste minimally processed, with no sugar, milk, or added flavorings.

That means the flavor you’re experiencing comes primarily from the cacao itself and from everything that happened to it before it reached your cup: its genetics, where it was grown, fermentation, roasting over wood fire, and grinding.

And cacao naturally has bitter and astringent compounds. Fermentation reduces some of the tannins responsible for the intense bitterness of raw cacao, while roasting creates another layer of flavor and aroma.

So if your first cup of ceremonial cacao tastes more intense, earthy, bitter, or complex than the chocolate you’re used to…

that’s not necessarily a flaw.

You’re simply tasting cacao without all the things that usually make chocolate taste sweet and familiar.

And that’s where it gets interesting.

Because cacao doesn’t have one “correct” flavor.

One variety might taste fruity and bright. Another earthy and deep. Another nutty, smoky, acidic, or surprisingly sweet.

Chocolate is an interpretation of cacao.
Ceremonial cacao lets the cacao speak for itself.

Have you ever tasted ceremonial cacao for the first time and thought, “Wait… this is NOT hot chocolate”? 😂

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09/30/2026

Our Portable Kettle and Cacao Frother make it easy to prepare cacao in so many places.

Nick is currently on a U.S. Tour leading guided cacao tastings in various states and visiting Chaco Canyon New Mexico (where there’s ancient cacao history).

While visiting another archaeology site at Hovenweep National Monument, he felt called to make a cup using those tools and a power bank.

Especially in places like this where fires are not permitted, this is even easier than using a camping stove. Now that we’ve crossed the Autumn Equinox, it’s the perfect time to enjoy cacao out in nature while things are not too hot but not yet very cold.

Did you know that traces of ancient cacao were found in pottery in this area? 😮

Visit the Other Goods page on our website to find the kettle and frother.

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Address

1988 SE Ladd Avenue
Portland, OR
97214

Website

http://www.soulliftcacao.com/

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