Honoring the Hands That Make It Possible, Ceremonial Cacao Fair-Trade Center
Hey beautiful souls,
Ceremonial cacao isn’t just something delicious we sip—it's a deep, soulful experience, connecting us gently to the earth, our hearts, and the incredible communities nurturing this sacred plant.
Sadly, today's chocolate industry often forgets this beautiful connection. Big brands usually chase profits, letting intermediaries pay cacao farmers unfairly low prices. This breaks our bond with cacao’s true magic, exploiting the producers and ignoring their precious traditions.
At Maya Moon Cacao, we've seen this firsthand. For three meaningful years, we nurtured close relationships directly with cacao farmers at Finca La Chua. But everything shifted in 2024 when an intermediary disrupted this special connection. This wasn’t aligned with our values—our hearts believe in direct, caring partnerships with the farmers who give their lives to this sacred tree.
Facing this challenge inspired a new journey. It led me to Cahabón, Alta Verapaz, to an amazing community of 195 indigenous families. Sitting with them, sharing deep conversations, I felt their truth touch my soul:
“We have so much cacao, yet companies only buy our raw fruit cheaply. We long to learn the crucial processes—fermentation and drying—to produce high-quality cacao ourselves. But the companies send middlemen (‘coyotes’) who control everything and keep us powerless, dependent, and unseen. Our dream is to connect directly with people who genuinely value our sacred work.”
My heart broke wide open hearing this, so I traveled to spend more time with these beautiful families and deeply understand their daily lives. The reality was heartbreaking. These families are true guardians of cacao's sacred energy, yet they live without the dignity their hard work and wisdom deserve. They urgently need support and knowledge to master fermentation and drying, crucial steps that would allow them to reclaim their power and live the prosperous, empowered lives they deserve.
During my stay, I saw firsthand how they carry heavy cacao pods for miles over mountains, working tirelessly for barely enough to survive. Yet their spirits remain deeply connected to the earth, viewing cacao as family—a sacred legacy passed down through generations.
Witnessing their frustration at being trapped in exploitation cycles by big chocolate corporations moved me profoundly. It’s especially painful seeing younger generations discouraged, slowly disconnecting from cacao farming because fair opportunities are lacking. This threatens the very traditions that make ceremonial cacao so healing and beautiful.
We felt called to act—and that's why we created the Fair Trade Center, a community-driven space empowering these incredible families. Here, they learn essential skills, gain resources, and receive fair pay for producing ceremonial-grade cacao. It's all about honoring their vital role, uplifting their voices, and bringing dignity back into their sacred work.
Real ceremonial cacao is all about respect, compassion, and gratitude—for the land, the hands, and the ancestral wisdom guiding every step. Every mindful sip we take reconnects us to this loving journey, reminding us we're all deeply intertwined.
With your amazing support through our GoFundMe campaign, we've taken beautiful steps forward. But the path continues, and we still need your help.
By choosing Maya Moon Cacao, you say YES to fairness, YES to empowerment, YES to honoring cacao as a spiritual partner on our healing journey—not just another product.
Together, let’s rewrite this story with kindness, love, and mindful connection—one heart-centered cup at a time.
With endless love and gratitude,
Maya Moon Cacao
