Peruvian Cacao – Maca + Honey Mini Bars ꐡ

Peruvian Cacao – Maca + Honey Mini Bars ꐡ

Theobroma cacao trees originated in the Amazon rainforest about 5,300 years ago. The Mayo-Chinchipe people from Ecuador grew and harvested Theobroma cacao for consumption in South America spread this knowledge to neighboring countries in Mesoamerica. The most prominent civilizations in Mesoamerica that developed a distinct and elaborative cacao culture were the Olmecs, the greater Maya Empire, and the Aztecs.

The Aztecs believed that the gods found cacao among other plants in the mountains. Their god Quetzalcoatl, who is their creator god from whom the Aztecs descended, was the one who shared cacao with mankind. The legend goes that Quetzalcoatl’s actions angered the other gods, and they exiled him. Before he left, Quetzalcoatl gifted mankind with the Theobroma cacao tree as a reminder that he would return one day. In 1521 CE, the legend contributed to the fall of the Aztecs when they eagerly welcomed conquistador Hernán Cortés believing he was their god Quetzalcoatl returning from exile. [¹]

This cacao blend was created to celebrate the ancient god Quetzalcoatl.

*These Premium Criollo Peruvian beans are sourced from the Amazon Region of Tarapoto in the San Martin Province of northern Peru. This is the part of the world where cacao grows natively with optimal conditions to produce the best cacao beans. The community uses environmentally sustainable practices through a social responsibility program to improve working conditions for the farmers. Buy supporting this bean your are helping donate tools and workshops on sustainable agriculture techniques.

History of Honey in Peru: For centuries, communities in the Peruvian Amazon foraged for the hives of Amazonian stingless bees, meliponines, and used their honey and pollen to treat an array of conditions––from bronchitis and flu, to fertility [²] (I have used local Raw Central Otago Medicinal Thyme Honey in this blend)

History of Maca Root: Maca Root was first domesticated in the Peruvian highlands during the pre-Inca around 3800 B.C, with primitive cultivars of Maca being found in archaeological sites dating back to 1600 B.C. It continued to be cultivated by the Inca centuries ago as a valuable nutritious dietary staple and adaptogen.

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If you want to read more about Cacao and natural immunity please read here