Embracing The Changes at Ritual Cacao
As they say, change is the only constant in the world, and as a small business, it is essential to adapt and evolve to stay relevant and thrive.
At Ritual Cacao, we believe in the power of plant medicines for our physical, emotional and mental health well being, and in particular the transformational properties of ceremonial-grade Cacao, as a wellbeing remedy.
Our Founder Rebekah embarked on this cacao journey ten years ago, and our company has transformed, as the industry has grown and expanded. The company started as Rebekah Shaman Cacao, with cacao from Guatemala. In 2014 we began selling Ashaninka Cacao and called the company Ashaninka Cacao.
As we expanded our range to include Tsatsayaku Cacao in 2019, we evolved into Ritual Cacao, focusing on the importance of cacao as part of a daily wellbeing practise.
In the last year, Ritual Cacao has undergone another evolutionary process to create our own branded 500gm and 200gm Ritual Cacao Bars and Pods, made lovingly by us in our unit in Camberwell, using the same pure, organically-grown, ceremonial-grade nibs that the Tsatsayaku community use for their liquor.
Embracing Modernity & Updating Our Logo
Our new Cacao Pod Logo represents the cacao fruit cut in half, and honours the fruit of the cacao that is often forgotten in the chocolate making process. It reminds us that we must also honour the cacao tree, and the ancient varieties of cacao bean that are getting destroyed by GMO cacao cash crops.
Enhancing the Product Offer & Giving You Variety
Our cacao would arrive in random block sizes, up to 19kg each, and we used to have to break these blocks of cacao to pack our 500gm and 200gm bags. It takes brute strength to break through a huge block of Cacao. We decided we needed to create our own branded moulds that would be easier and simpler to use. The project took over a year to become a reality, but we are very proud of our new products.
Strength, Durability & Eco-friendly Packaging
We have also taken significant steps towards updating our packaging. We recognise that packaging plays a crucial role in both preserving the quality and freshness of our cacao, as well as not polluting the earth. All our packaging is biodegradable, compostable and recyclable.
Sustainable Cacao Cultivation and Wholesale
We understand that the journey of cacao starts with the farmers who cultivate it in the heart of the Ecuadorian rainforest. We also respect the natural growth cycle of the cacao tree, allowing the fruits to mature and ripen at their own pace. By having a mutual understanding and appreciation for nature's timing, we honour the importance of cacao and the farmers who grow it.
Working with the natural landscape and climate of the Amazon, we strive to minimise our ecological footprint and contribute to the preservation of this incredibly vital ecosystem, by enabling the farmers to use their traditional farming methods.
We get it directly from the Tsatsayaku Association. As soon as it’s processed into liquor, it comes fresh to us. This means our cacao can be affected by climate changes and fluctuations in temperature. We are directly involved from fruit to bar, and feel deeply connected to our farmers and the cacao they produce.
Pricing Re-evaluation & Finding the Right Balance
And last but not least, pricing is a delicate balancing act, especially for small businesses like ours. In this challenging climate we have reviewed our prices to ensure they reflect the value we offer.
This re-evaluation has led us to make some adjustments, including both increases and decreases.
Decreases
Tsatsayaku Nibs 200g - Was £15.00 Now £12.00
Tsatsayaku Nibs 500g - Was £30.00 Now £25.00
Tsatsayaku Cacao 1kg - Was £80.00 Now £75.00
Tsatsayaku 5kg Block - Was £330.00 Now £300.00
Increases
Tsatsayaku Bullion Bar 200g - Was £22.00 Now £25.00
Tsatsayaku Bullion Bar 500g - Was £40.00 Now £45.00
Tsatsayaku Pods 250g - Was £30.00 Now £33.00
Change can be both challenging and invigorating, but it is necessary for the growth and sustainability of any business, especially a small one. At Ritual Cacao, we are embracing change wholeheartedly.
We want to thank you all for joining us on this exciting adventure as we continue to celebrate the power of ritual and the wonder of Cacao… Viva La Medicina
