Lakefront mornings, slow cup
Ceremonial Cacao in Chicago
A slow, warm cup for lakefront mornings, shipped from California to Chicago and the suburbs.
- 4.95 from 22 reviews
- Order by 2 PM PT, ships same day
- 30-day money-back (unopened)
A slow cup for a fast city
Chicago mornings run on timetables: the train, the trail along the lake, the nine o'clock meeting. Alma Cacao is ceremonial cacao paste, shaved into small rock-like pieces, that melts into a hot cup in about a minute.
If you searched for a cacao ceremony in Chicago, this page is about the one you can make yourself, at your own kitchen window or on a bench by the lake.
- 1ingredient, nothing added
- ~1minto whisk a cup
- 4.95from 22 reviews
- 2%of every sale to For the Love of Mateo
Alma Ceremonial Cacao
Pure ceremonial cacao paste, single-origin from native communities of the Peruvian Amazon. Melt it into a warm cup on a slow morning, or pour it over ice on a hot afternoon. One ingredient, nothing added.
- 30-day money-back guarantee (unopened)
- Order by 2 PM Pacific, ships same day (Mon to Fri)
- Lab tested for heavy metals (ISO 17025 lab)
- 2% of every sale to For the Love of Mateo
Morning in Chicago
First light on the lake
In January the sun comes up late, and a normal afternoon tops out near 31°F. That is a morning for a mug you hold with both hands. Warm the cup, whisk your cacao, and carry it to the window before the first train rattles past.
By July the highs reach the mid 80s and the air turns humid, though a lake breeze takes some of the edge off. Same cacao, different cup: iced, and drunk early, with the light coming up over the water.
Pick your stop
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The Lakefront Trail
About 18 miles of paved path link Edgewater, Uptown, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, the South Loop, Bronzeville and Hyde Park, with Belmont Harbor, Grant Park and the Montrose, North Avenue and Foster beaches along the way. It fills up on summer weekends, so early is best. A warmed thermos and a bench are all you need.
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Promontory Point
In Hyde Park, limestone blocks step down to the water, with the downtown skyline in the distance. Carry your cup down the steps and stay awhile.
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The 606
A former rail line now carries walkers and runners about 20 feet above the street for 2.7 miles, through Wicker Park, Bucktown, Logan Square and Humboldt Park.
Beyond the city
Out in the suburbs, mornings run a little slower. La Grange pairs a walkable historic downtown with a Metra stop, Oswego has the Fox River Trail and Hudson Crossing Park by the water, and the Old Plank Road Trail runs straight through the historic downtown of Frankfort.
The cacao
What Alma Cacao is
Alma Cacao is 100% ceremonial cacao paste, shaved into small rock-like pieces. The cacao butter stays in and nothing is added. It is not a powder and not a block, so there is nothing to chop or grate.
Read more on the Alma Cacao product page.
- Single-origin, from native communities of the Peruvian Amazon.
- Traditionally fermented, sun-dried and stone ground in small batches.
- Tested for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury) by an ISO 17025 accredited lab, and made in a GMP certified facility.
- Sold as a ½ lb Starter pouch or a 1 lb canister, with larger sizes on the product page.
At home
Four stops to a cup
A daily cup is 10 to 20 g. This is the short version; our guide to how to prepare ceremonial cacao has the full method.
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Measure
Scoop 10 to 20 g, which is 1 to 2 tablespoons of pieces, into a mug.
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Heat
Warm 6 to 8 oz of water or milk to about 180°F (82°C). Steaming, never boiling.
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Whisk
Pour it over the pieces and whisk for about a minute, until smooth.
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Sip
Take it slowly at a window, on a back porch or down by the water.
Cold mornings
When lake-effect snow is falling, rinse the mug with hot water first so the cup stays warm past the first sips. Milk gives a creamier cup, and a cinnamon stick makes it a proper winter mug.
Humid July mornings
Melt the pieces in a little hot water first, then pour over ice and cold milk. Our iced ceremonial cacao recipe shows how.
Theobromine is a mild stimulant, so people sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants may feel it, and a cup also has a little caffeine. If you are pregnant or nursing, take medication or manage a health condition, check with your healthcare provider first. Cacao and chocolate are toxic to dogs, so keep your cup out of reach.
Reviews
What people say
Rated 4.95 out of 5 across 22 reviews.
“Seriously the best cacao I've ever had! I find that most cacao doesn't hit the spot, it's not creamy and thick, but I love that this cacao really builds on itself, and the flavor is so robust and just truly the best I've ever had in(or outside) my own home--and I'd consider myself a cacao aficionado!”
“This product is everything it is promised to be!”
“This product is definitely the best. I started off with another brand but your product is much better and would recommend it to everyone.”
Our promise
Giving, shipping and the guarantee
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2%
Giving
The co-op we source from gives 2% back to the producer communities, and Alma gives 2% of every sale to For the Love of Mateo.
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2 PM
Shipping
Orders to Chicago and the suburbs ship from California. Orders placed by 2 PM Pacific, Monday to Friday, ship the same day, and orders over $99 ship free.
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30 days
Guarantee
Every order comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee if the product is unopened.
FAQ
Chicago questions
Can I order ceremonial cacao in Chicago and the suburbs?
Yes. Alma Cacao ships from California to Chicago and to suburbs like La Grange, Oswego and Frankfort. Delivery times depend on the carrier, so order a little before you run low.
How do I carry a warm cup to the lakefront in winter?
Whisk it at home, then pour it into a thermos you have warmed with hot water and give it a swirl before each sip. Lakefront wind cools a cup fast, so a tight lid matters more than the mug. A harbor bench, the limestone steps at Promontory Point or a spot along the Lakefront Trail all make good stops.
Can I make iced cacao for a humid Chicago July?
Yes. Melt 10 to 20 g of pieces in a little hot water, stir until smooth, then pour over ice and cold milk. July highs sit in the mid 80s and the air is humid, so a tall glass on a shady back porch, or by the water where a lake breeze helps, works well.
Is a Chicago weekday morning long enough for a cup?
Yes. The cup takes about a minute to whisk. Measure 10 to 20 g into your mug the night before, warm the water or milk while you get dressed, and you can still make your train. Save the slower version for a weekend.
Is there a cacao ceremony in Chicago I can join?
Alma Cacao is shipped from California and does not host events in Chicago, but you can hold a ceremony of your own at home with a mug and a whisk. To get Alma Cacao for it, order online or see our where to buy ceremonial cacao page.
Next stop: your first cup
Lake wind in January, humid air in July, a quiet kitchen out in the suburbs: the cup is the same and takes about a minute. Choose your size of Alma Cacao and start tomorrow morning.
