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Cacao vs Coffee: Caffeine, Taste and Ritual Compared
Cacao carries far less caffeine than coffee and leads with theobromine. Here is how the two compare, and how to switch at your own pace.
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Coffee and ceremonial cacao both come from a roasted seed, both make a warm morning cup, and both can become a ritual. But they are built differently, and they feel different. Here is a plain comparison, and a simple way to switch if you want to.
Cacao vs coffee at a glance
| Coffee | Ceremonial cacao | |
|---|---|---|
| Main stimulant | Caffeine | Theobromine, with a little caffeine |
| Caffeine per cup | About 80 to 100 mg in an 8 oz cup | Roughly 12 mg in a 15 g cup |
| How it is made | Brewed, then the grounds are strained out | Whole cacao paste melted into hot water, nothing strained out |
| Taste | Roasty and bitter | Deep dark chocolate, rich and creamy from the cacao butter |
| Ritual | Often gulped on the go | Made slowly, sipped slowly |
| Cost per cup at home | Varies with your beans | About $1.50 a daily cup with a 1 lb of Alma Cacao |
Caffeine figures: coffee from the FDA. Cacao estimated from USDA FoodData Central values for unsweetened chocolate, about 80 mg of caffeine per 100 g (source). Amounts vary by bean and serving.
Why people switch
Some people want less caffeine. Some want a slower morning. Some love the taste and the ritual of making it. Most do not quit coffee overnight: they replace the second cup, then see how it goes.
How to switch from coffee to cacao
- Week 1: keep your first coffee and replace the second with a cup of cacao.
- Week 2: make cacao your first cup three mornings a week.
- Week 3: cacao most mornings, coffee when you want it.
- Go at your own pace. Dropping all your caffeine at once is hard for most people, so swap one cup at a time.
Make your first cup
Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of Alma Cacao pieces (10 to 20 g) to 6 to 8 oz of hot water, about 180°F. Whisk or blend until frothy. For a latte, blend it with steamed oat milk and a little honey or maple. For the full method, see how to prepare ceremonial cacao.
Alma Ceremonial Cacao
Start with the ½ lb Starter, about 20 daily cups, and swap one coffee at a time.
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Common questions
Does ceremonial cacao have caffeine?
Yes, a little. Cacao's main stimulant is theobromine, and it has far less caffeine than coffee. Based on USDA values for unsweetened chocolate, a 15 g cup has roughly 12 mg of caffeine, compared with about 80 to 100 mg in an 8 oz cup of coffee.
Is cacao better than coffee?
Neither is better for everyone. Cacao suits people who want less caffeine and a slower ritual. Coffee suits people who want a fast, strong lift. Plenty of people drink both.
Can I drink cacao and coffee together?
Yes. A mocha made with pure cacao is a good bridge: a shot of espresso or half a cup of coffee, 1 tablespoon of cacao pieces, and steamed milk.
When is the best time to drink cacao?
Most people enjoy it in the morning or early afternoon. If you are sensitive to caffeine, avoid it late in the day. More in the best time of day to drink cacao.
Is cacao the same as cocoa?
Not quite. Cocoa powder is usually processed at higher heat with most of the cacao butter pressed out. Ceremonial cacao paste is the whole bean, butter included.
More cacao guides.
Cacao ceremony at home
A simple, step-by-step guide for your first ceremony: dose, prep, intention.
Read the guideCeremonial cacao gifts
Gift ideas from $22 for the coffee lover, the yogi and the host.
Read the guideTokyo-style chocolate matcha
Iced matcha in a glass lined with pure cacao. Three ingredients.
Read the guideStart your ritual.
Pure ceremonial cacao from native communities of the Peruvian Amazon. One ingredient, nothing added.
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