Is cacao better than coffee?

Cacao provides calm, sustained energy without jitters or crashes, making it a natural alternative to coffee.

Does cacao have caffeine?

Cacao contains a small amount of caffeine but primarily delivers energy through theobromine, which provides smoother and longer-lasting energy.

Is your cacao tested for heavy metals and mold?

Yes, our cacao is tested to ensure purity, safety, and peace of mind. Each batch is screened for heavy metals and mold.

The Ritual Library

Inside MUD\WTR :gather Santa Monica: Where Energy, Community, and Focus Align

by GONZALO DIEGUEZ on Apr 27, 2026 2 min read

$Inside MUD\WTR :gather Santa Monica: Where Energy, Community, and Focus Align$

Inside MUD\WTR :gather Santa Monica: Where Energy, Community, and Focus Align

In a city that moves fast and runs on constant stimulation, finding a space that invites you to slow down, focus, and reconnect is rare.

MUD\WTR :gather in Santa Monica is one of those places.

More than just a café, it’s a conscious space designed for those who are ready to rethink what energy really means. Instead of relying on overstimulation, MUD\WTR :gather offers a grounded alternative through blends that combine cacao, functional mushrooms, spices, and earthy flavors to create a more balanced, sustained experience.

But what makes MUD\WTR :gather stand out is not just what they serve.

It’s what they create.

A Different Relationship with Energy

MUD\WTR :gather is not just offering a different drink. It’s offering a different relationship with energy. One rooted in balance, clarity, and intention rather than stimulation.

For those navigating busy schedules, creative work, or entrepreneurial paths, that shift becomes powerful. It allows you to stay focused without the highs and crashes that often come with traditional caffeine habits.

More Than a Café: A Space for Focus, Connection, and Growth

The moment you walk in, there’s an unmistakable shift.

The space is warm, minimal, and intentionally designed. It invites you to slow down, settle in, and focus. Whether you’re working on your laptop or taking a moment to read, the environment supports both productivity and presence.

But what truly defines MUD\WTR :gather is the community.

It has become a natural gathering point for creatives, founders, and conscious builders who value both productivity and presence. Conversations happen organically. Ideas are exchanged. There’s a shared understanding that people come here not just to consume, but to connect.

Coworking, Meditation, and Weekly Experiences

MUD\WTR :gather has built something that extends beyond a traditional café model.

With a co-working space, meditation area, and weekly programming that ranges from business and technology to spirituality and personal growth, it offers a full-spectrum experience. It’s a place where productivity meets introspection.

The events are not an add-on. They are part of the core experience, creating a sense of belonging that keeps people coming back.

A Conscious Approach to Modern Energy

In a place like Santa Monica, where options are endless, MUD\WTR :gather stands out as a rare gem.

While many brands focus on replacing coffee, MUD\WTR :gather goes a step further. It creates an environment where energy, focus, and wellbeing are redefined through community and conscious habits.

At Alma Cacao, we resonate deeply with this mission. While MUD\WTR brings a functional, adaptogenic approach to energy, we bring a more ritual-based, heart-opening dimension. Seeing our ceremonial cacao available in their retail space feels like a natural alignment. Two different paths, grounded in the same intention: elevating how people feel, work, and connect.