Ceremonial Cacao

The organic cacao is sourced from an organic farm in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala, then processed in San Marcos La Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlan.

Each bean is carefully selected to ensure only the highest quality remains. The local Indgenous (Kaqchikel) family of women gather to roast the beans over a wood fire, giving it a unique robust flavour. They sit together for hours to peel the beans by hand and put love and high energy into them.

It is milled in small batches, packaged fresh and enjoyed around the world.

Ruk’u’x Ulew was founded in 2016 by Cecilia Mendoza Chiyal, an indigenous Mayan mother of three, born and raised in San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.

Cecilia once ran a small cafe in her village and many local women would come and ask her for work. She was troubled by not being able to help all these women with employment, so she would pray to God and sit with the fire spirit and ask: “What path shall i take? What sort of business can I create to give enough work to so many women?”

Cecilia would prepare her own traditional cacao drink for her family every Christmas and Easter using the highest quality cacao beans, sourced from an organic farm in Alta-Verapaz. She often received compliments on her delicious cacao. This gave Cecilia the courage to ask a few of the busy cafes in her village if they would be interested in selling her blocks of cacao. They agreed and sold out quickly. The customer’s reaction to her cacao was overwhelmingly positive.

The project now supports many local women and their families and is 100% owned by them.

I am so grateful to be an official distributor and have their blessing to share this wonderful product with honour and respect to the local traditions and culture. 

I stock bars of their organic ceremonial cacao ready to be shipped throughout Europe and worldwide. Perfect to create your own ceremony, share with friends and enjoy in smoothies or porridge.