Trailhead Elev. 1,207 ft
Ceremonial Cacao in Santa Clarita
A warm cup for golden-hill mornings, from Valencia and Newhall to Saugus and Canyon Country.
- 4.95 from 22 reviews
- Order by 2 PM PT, ships same day
- 30-day money-back (unopened)
Golden hills, long paths, a slower first cup
Santa Clarita sits about 30 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, at 1,207 feet, in a valley of oak canyons and wide paved paths. Valencia, Newhall, Saugus and Canyon Country each keep their own character, and Stevenson Ranch holds the Towsley Canyon trailhead.
Alma Cacao is ceremonial cacao in its simplest form: whole cacao paste in small rock-like pieces. Whisk a spoonful or two into hot water or milk and your cup is ready in about a minute. Below you will find a Santa Clarita morning, the steps for a cup, and what to do when the afternoon pushes into the 90s.
- 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
Stage 1 First light
A Santa Clarita morning, start to finish
The valley wakes up cool. The average low is still near 63°F in July and about 46°F in January, so mornings are a good time for a walk or a ride on the paved Santa Clara River Trail, which runs about eight miles between Canyon Country and Valencia.
By afternoon the sun takes over. July and August highs average 93 and 94°F. Most of the year's roughly 16 inches of rain falls from December through March, and the hills trade green for gold as summer settles in.
Early starts make sense on the trails. The Towsley Canyon loop, just off Interstate 5 near Stevenson Ranch, climbs out of its oak groves in switchbacks with little shade, and it can get very hot in summer. Placerita Canyon, just outside the city limits, is where Francisco Lopez discovered gold in 1842, near the Oak of the Golden Dream. On Saturday mornings the farmers market sets up in the library parking lot in Old Town Newhall.
A cup of ceremonial cacao fits that pace. It melts in about a minute, it travels in a flask, and it tastes rich and round, a little creamy from the cacao butter.
Stage 2 The pack
What goes in the pack
Alma Cacao is 100% ceremonial cacao paste, with the cacao butter left in and nothing added. It is shaved into small rock-like pieces, so there is nothing to chop or grate.
The ½ lb Starter pouch makes about 20 daily cups and the 1 lb canister about 40, so the Starter pouch is an easy first step. Every size is in the box above and 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
- Made in a GMP certified facility
Stage 3 The climb
Four steps from trailhead to summit
A daily cup is 10 to 20 g of pieces, which is 1 to 2 tablespoons.
-
Trailhead
Measure 10 to 20 g (1 to 2 tablespoons) of pieces into your mug.
-
Switchback
Heat 6 to 8 oz of water or milk to about 180°F (82°C). Steaming is right, boiling is too hot.
-
Overlook
Pour it over the pieces and whisk for about a minute, until the cup is smooth.
-
Summit
Sip slowly. The full guide to preparing ceremonial cacao has more detail.
Cool start
January mornings here average about 46°F. Warm the mug with hot water first and whisk as usual, or pour the cup into a warmed flask for the trail.
Hot afternoon
When the valley pushes into the 90s, melt the pieces in a little hot water first, then pour over ice and cold milk. Our iced ceremonial cacao recipe has the details.
Stage 4 Trail register
Notes from the trail register
Rated 4.95 out of 5 across 22 reviews.
“Alma Cacao is the only cacao I purchase. Whether performing cacao + sound bath + meditation or having a delicious cup in the evening it is amazing! Delicious and pure.”
“This is hands down one of the best cacao products I have had.”
“Smooth great taste, love the clean ingredients.”
Stage 5 Good to know
Packed with care, shipped from California
-
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.
-
2 PM
Shipping
Orders ship from California. Place yours by 2 PM Pacific, Monday to Friday, and it ships the same day. Orders over $99 ship free.
-
30 days
Guarantee
A 30-day money-back guarantee applies if the product is unopened.
Rest stop Questions
Questions from the trail
How do I make iced cacao for a hot Santa Clarita afternoon?
Melt 10 to 20 g of pieces in a little hot water first and whisk until smooth. Pour it over a glass of ice, then add cold milk. July and August highs here average 93 and 94°F, so a tall iced glass on a shaded patio suits the season.
Can I take cacao on a hike at Towsley Canyon or Placerita Canyon?
Yes, especially in the cooler months. Whisk your cup at home, pour it into a flask warmed with hot water, and swirl it gently before each pour. In summer, have your cup before you set out and save the iced glass for the porch afterward, since the Towsley Canyon climb has little shade and can get very hot. 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.
What does a cup look like on a cold or rainy Santa Clarita morning?
January mornings here average about 46°F, and most of the year's rain falls from December through March. Rinse your mug with hot water, then whisk 10 to 20 g of pieces into 6 to 8 oz of water or milk at about 180°F (82°C), never boiling, for about a minute. Take it to a window seat and watch the weather move across the hills.
Where can I get ceremonial cacao in Santa Clarita?
Alma Cacao ships from California to Valencia, Newhall, Saugus, Canyon Country, Stevenson Ranch and the rest of the valley, and you can order right here on this page. See where to buy ceremonial cacao for every way to get it.
What does a slow Saturday morning with cacao look like in Santa Clarita?
Start with a walk on the Santa Clara River Trail or a browse at the Old Town Newhall farmers market, then come home and make your cup the slow way: warm the mug, whisk for a full minute, and sit down with it. A weekday cup can be the same cup, only quicker, with a flask by the door.
Summit
Your cup is waiting at the summit
Order Alma Cacao, keep the canister by the kettle, and let tomorrow's first light find you with a warm cup in your hands.
Also in the Los Angeles area: ceremonial cacao in Los Angeles and ceremonial cacao in Pasadena.
