We all have a connection to cacao, for most of us it began when we were children eating our favourite chocolate bar. But for the indigenous people of Peru and central America cacao is so much more than chocolate. It is a sacred and special plant used in ceremony, connection and spiritual development. In this workshop we will take your connection with cacao to the next level and teach you about ceremonial cacao and the ancient sacred traditions surrounding its use in Peru.

Beginning with a discussion about the sacredness of plants, indigenous cultures and their connection to the natural world we will then journey you through the culture of cacao in South America. This will be followed by the traditions, uses, spiritual significances and the neuroscience and biochemistry of the plant. Finally we will demonstrate and share how to prepare ceremonial cacao in different ways and how you can create your own ceremony and sacred space at home.

In this workshop you will learn about:

Part 1 (30 mins)

1. Observations and consciousness – awareness of the environment, cycles and seasons, flowing with changing environment

2. Looking after indigenous heritage – preventing extinction of cultures, traditions and plant medicines

3. Reciprocal arrangement – balancing giving and taking from nature and respecting the environment. Sustainability of traditional plant medicine

4. Rituals surrounding the collecting of medicinal herbs

5. Understanding phytochemicals, plant chemical synergies, how plants adapt during times of stress and the energetics of plants

6. Understanding traditional medicines - what they are and how they are used

Part 2 (30 mins)Case study Theobroma cacao1. The origins and history of cacao

The earliest records of cacao and cacao use. It's journey from South America up through Central America and then across to Europe and the Western culture. The invention of chocolate and how cacao has changed since its early discovery.

2. The sacred traditions and significance of cacao

A look at the cosmovision of cacao, the spiritual significance and meanings of its use. Cacao ceremonies and sacred uses of cacao plants and beans.

3. The medicinal benefits of cacao

The key classes of bioactive molecules in cacao and how they relate to the health enhancing and physiological effects. Quality markers, differences between beans, paste, powder and butter. Cadmium and heavy metals in cacao, what to know and be aware of.

4. Creating a sustainable future for cacao

The farm to table approach. Working directly with farmers to create sustainable agroforestry methods of production that protect the environment of the jungle and energetic frequency of the plant. Cultural preservation and community empowerment to grow cacao culture in the farming communities of Peru.

Part 3 (30 mins)

A practical demonstration of cacao

1. Tasting the different cacao products a journey from cacao pod to powder

2. How to make a traditional elixir – things you can add (maca, mushrooms, rose, spices, herbs and more)

3. Using traditional vessels, molinillo’s and whisking cacao

4. Demonstration of a traditional ceremonial cacao drink, a modern ceremonial creamy elixir and a cacao butter non-chocolate elixir.

5. Sampling and tastings

6. Q&A

Meet your facilitators, guides and experts:

Dianna Tawharu (NZ) is a senior naturopath and wellness advisor at Commonsense Organics. She has a Batchelor’s degree in Naturopathy and has previously worked as a Medical Microbiology Technician (QTA) for over 10 years. Dianna's experience also includes 20 years as a tutor at Wellpark College of Natural Therapies in herbal medicine and background expertise with traditional approaches such as Ayurveda, Chinese and macrobiotic therapy.

Sally Huapaya (Peru) is a Hunca-Incan descendent from the central Andes of Peru. Growing up in Lima and completing a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering, she later left the corporate world to reconnect with her indigenous roots and followed a path of plant medicine to become an expert in ancient traditions of cacao, maca and Andean cosmovision. She works with two farming communities, one in the Andes and one in the Amazon producing artisanal farm to table maca and cacao products in-line the sacred ancient traditions. Sally has worked to develop a model of trade that is economically, environmentally and socially sustainable for the indigenous communities in Peru and seeks to uphold the respect and sacred traditions surrounding the plants medicines produced by her people. She runs retreats to the jungle of Peru to connect with cacao and the mountains of Peru to connect with maca every July. She wants to share the sacred traditions surrounding Peruvian master plants and inspire people to connect to their roots and give love and respect to Pachamama – the provider of all medicine. She is founder and co-director of www.themacaexperts.com and www.rescuecacao.com

Dr Corin Storkey (NZ) is a medical researcher and scientist from Wellington. He has over 15 years of academic and research experience, specialising in medicinal antioxidant chemistry, oxidative diseases, cellular protection and health. He holds a PhD in medicinal chemistry from the University of Melbourne and the Heart Research Institute – Sydney. He has previously struggled with and overcome chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS/ME – see story here) and believes that there is currently a lack of holistic management in the conventional Western medical approach to health. These experiences led him to establish his natural health company Seleno Health (www.selenohealth.com) as a means to provide people with education and tools to manage their own health more effectively. He is the founder and head of the New Zealand maca and cacao research centre based at Victoria University of Wellington that aims to bring credible scientific validation to Peruvian indigenous plant medicines like maca and cacao.

Exchange $10 - presales

$20 - door sales

10% off Seleno rescue cacao products on the night