Authentic Cacao Has Arrived

For years, the words “ceremonial cacao” have been used loosely  printed on packaging, posted across social media, and spoken in wellness circles around the world. But not all cacao labeled as ceremonial truly honors the ancient roots from which it comes.

That’s why the creation of Certified Ceremonial Cacao® marks a historic moment  the first official certification in the world dedicated to protecting authentic ceremonial cacao, its Indigenous origins, and the people who have carried this sacred plant through generations.

At Maya Moon Cacao, we are honored to be the Founding Licensee of this certification, working hand in hand with the Ceremonial Cacao Association of America (CCAA) to uphold the highest standards of authenticity and ethics in cacao.

👉 Learn more at www.ceremonial-cacao.org

 

What Makes Certified Ceremonial Cacao® Different

Certified Ceremonial Cacao® is more than a label it’s a promise.
A commitment that your cacao has been grown, prepared, and shared with full respect for the land, the culture, and the people behind it.

Here’s what defines a truly ceremonial cacao:

Origin Matters: The cacao must come from its ancestral homelands Mexico, Central America, South America, or the Caribbean.
Traditional Process: Fermented naturally, dried in the sun, and roasted with fire not in industrial ovens.
No Chemicals: Grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers.
In-Country Craftsmanship: Roasted, peeled, and stone-ground in the same country where it’s grown.
Indigenous Stewardship: At least 80% of the people involved in the process are Indigenous, ensuring cultural integrity and fair trade.
Transparency & Fair Pay: Farmers and artisans set their own prices, independent of the global commodity market.

Each of these standards restores dignity to cacao transforming it from a product into a living tradition.

 

Maya Moon Cacao: From the Source

In the mountains of San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala, our cacao is grown and hand-prepared by Indigenous Kaqchikel women.
Every bean is fermented under the sun, roasted with care, and ground by skilled hands sometimes over open fire and stone, and other times using a traditional oven and molino (grinder).

These variations reflect the living diversity of cacao-making across Guatemala. Some families still roast cacao over wood fire in clay pans, while others use small village ovens for consistency and temperature control. Both are rooted in the same values respect for the seed, the land, and the people who prepare it.

What makes cacao truly ceremonial is not one single technique, but the intention, presence, and gratitude carried through every step. Whether roasted by fire or oven, ground by stone or molino, our cacao holds the same ancestral energy that has sustained this sacred drink for centuries.

This process isn’t about efficiency. It’s about presence, prayer, and gratitude. It’s how we keep the spirit of cacao alive not only as food, but as medicine.

Being the first licensed brand under Certified Ceremonial Cacao® is more than a milestone for us it’s a way of saying: we belong to the lineage, and we protect it.

 

Why This Matters

In a market full of products calling themselves “ceremonial cacao,” this certification creates clarity and accountability. It ensures that when you drink Maya Moon Cacao, you are part of a transparent chain that uplifts families, protects the environment, and honors sacred tradition.

When you choose certified cacao, you’re choosing:

✨ Integrity over marketing
✨ Connection over consumption
✨ Heart over hype

Because true cacao isn’t just about flavor it’s about intention.

Meet the Founders

The Certified Ceremonial Cacao® certification was co-created by Nick Meador and Maura Sacach, two people united by a shared mission: to protect cacao’s ancestral roots and return dignity to the Indigenous hands that sustain it.

Nick began the process of trademark registration in 2022, after years of working alongside Indigenous cacao collectives and spiritual guides throughout Latin America.
Maura, the founder of Maya Moon Cacao, is a Kaqchikel Maya woman from San Marcos La Laguna, Guatemala, who now lives in the U.S. Her life’s work bridges ancient wisdom with modern consciousness, bringing ceremonial cacao to communities around the world.

Together, Nick and Maura — with the support of students from the University of San Francisco Law Clinic — built the foundation for this certification. Their collaboration embodies what cacao has always been about: reciprocity, trust, and respect between cultures.

 

Join the Movement

The creation of Certified Ceremonial Cacao® is more than a legal standard — it’s the beginning of a movement to reconnect people with the real story of cacao: from the soil to the ceremony.

As more people seek authenticity, transparency, and meaning in their rituals, this certification ensures that the benefits return to the communities that have guarded this wisdom for generations.

Every cup of Maya Moon Cacao you drink is part of that story.
It’s a bridge — from Guatemala to your heart, from the ancient to the modern, from the seed to the spirit.