5,280 ft · Denver, Colorado
Ceremonial Cacao in Denver
Pure cacao paste in small pieces, for a slow warm cup at a mile high.
- 4.95 from 22 reviews
- Order by 2 PM PT, ships same day
- 30-day money-back (unopened)
5,280 ft · The Mile High marker
A mile-high cup for Denver mornings
On the west side of the Colorado State Capitol, a brass marker on the 13th step sits at exactly 5,280 feet above sea level, one mile. Most of the city lives at about that height, where the air is dry, the sun is strong and mornings start cool before the afternoon warms up.
Alma Cacao is ceremonial cacao made for a morning like that. It is 100% cacao paste in small rock-like pieces, with nothing added. It ships to Denver from California, so the same cup is yours whether you live near Washington Park, out in Arvada or Wheat Ridge, or anywhere along the Front Range.
- 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
5,280 ft · First light
A Denver morning, start to finish
Denver mornings begin cool and clear. At Denver International Airport, January nights average about 19°F and July nights about 60°F, and the afternoons climb well above that. The airport station logs about 3,100 hours of sunshine a year, so many mornings come with a bright sky and a warm mug.
Pick a spot and bring your cup. The Sloan's Lake shoreline is a spot for watching the morning sun, Cheesman Park is known for its city views, and Washington Park has lakes and gardens to walk around. Farther out, a pullout on Lookout Mountain above Golden lets you take in the city lights and the rising sun, and Red Rocks Park has short foothill trails.
In Arvada, the Ralston Creek Trail runs 12.5 miles from Gold Strike Park, where Ralston and Clear Creeks meet, past Tucker Lake to Arvada Blunn Reservoir, which has views of the Denver skyline. In Wheat Ridge, the Clear Creek Trail follows the creek and climbs gently west toward Golden. Make your cup at home, pour it into a warm insulated bottle, and take it along.
5,280 ft · In the pouch
What Alma Cacao is
Alma Cacao is 100% ceremonial cacao paste, shaved into small rock-like pieces with the cacao butter left in. There is nothing to chop or grate, and nothing added. It is single-origin, from native communities of the Peruvian Amazon, traditionally fermented, sun-dried and stone ground in small batches.
It is tested for heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic and mercury) by an ISO 17025 accredited lab, and made in a GMP certified facility. Try the ½ lb Starter pouch first, or stock the 1 lb canister. New to cacao? Our guide explains what ceremonial cacao is.
5,280 ft · Your cup
How to make a cup at a mile high
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Measure.
Put 10 to 20 g of pieces (1 to 2 tablespoons) in a mug.
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Heat.
Warm 6 to 8 oz of water or milk to about 180°F (82°C), never boiling. Water boils at about 202°F (94°C) at this height, so let the kettle settle off the boil first.
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Whisk.
Pour over the pieces and whisk for about a minute, until the cup is smooth and creamy.
Hot afternoon
July highs average about 90°F, and storms can roll in fast and pass just as fast. Melt the pieces in a little hot water, then pour over ice and cold milk.
Cold morning
January highs average about 45°F, with nights near 19°F. Warm the mug with hot water first, then make your cup. Snow often melts fast under clear skies.
Shoulder seasons
Spring can swing from sunshine to sudden rain, and the aspens in the mountains turn gold around late September and early October. A warm cup suits both.
Want a slower evening? Read about a cacao ceremony at home.
5,280 ft · Voices
What people say about Alma Cacao
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!”
“The cacao is out of this world and you can tell it is made with a ton of love.”
“This product is everything it is promised to be!”
5,280 ft · Giving and shipping
Giving, shipping and the guarantee
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2%
Giving
The co-op we source from gives 2% to the producer communities. Alma gives another 2% of every sale to For the Love of Mateo.
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2 PM
Shipping
Orders ship from California. Order by 2 PM Pacific, Monday to Friday, and your order ships the same day. 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.
Wondering where to buy ceremonial cacao in the Denver area? Start with the where to buy page.
5,280 ft · Questions
Denver questions, answered
Water boils at about 202°F in Denver. How do I get the right temperature for cacao?
Cacao wants hot water, not boiling water. A kettle boils at about 202°F (94°C) at a mile high, a little lower than at sea level, so let it come off the boil and settle until it is near 180°F (82°C). Then whisk 10 to 20 g of pieces (1 to 2 tablespoons) into 6 to 8 oz of water or milk for about a minute.
Can I make iced cacao for a hot Denver afternoon?
Yes. July highs at the airport average about 90°F, and afternoon thunderstorms can form quickly and pass just as fast. Melt the pieces in a little hot water first, then pour over ice and cold milk. The iced ceremonial cacao recipe has the full steps.
Can I bring a cup to Washington Park or a trail in an insulated bottle?
Yes. Make the cup at home, pour it into a bottle you have warmed with hot water, and give it a swirl before each sip. The lakes at Washington Park, the Sloan's Lake shoreline and the Ralston Creek Trail in Arvada all suit a bottle in hand.
How do I hold a cacao ceremony at home in Denver?
Keep it simple: a quiet room, a candle if you like, your phone out of reach, and a slow cup. Many people keep a small daily cup of 10 to 20 g and save a full ceremony, about 40 g, for special moments, once or twice a week at most, with rest days in between. A snowy January evening and a bright June morning both work. The cacao ceremony at home page walks through it step by step.
How does the caffeine compare with a morning coffee, and who should check first?
There is a little caffeine in a cup. A 20 g cup holds about 16 to 32 mg of caffeine, a sixth to a third of the caffeine in an 8 oz cup of brewed coffee (about 95 mg). The low figure is USDA's; published lab data for baking chocolate run about twice as high, because cacao varies from bean to bean. Theobromine is a mild stimulant, so people sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants may feel it. 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.
5,280 ft · Home again
Your Denver morning, one cup at a time
Start with the ½ lb Starter pouch or the 1 lb canister, and make your first slow cup before the sun clears the plains.
30-day money-back guarantee if the product is unopened.
