Ceremonial Cacao Paste Block | Andes Mountains

We’re proud to work with two wonderful groups of smallscale cacao growers, each with a deep commitment to sustainability and community.

From the Andean region, we source our ceremonial grade cacao from a family association of growers in Quillabamba, La Convención, Cusco. These growers, rooted in their local traditions, cultivate cacao with a strong connection to and harmony with the land. Similarly, our Amazon ceremonial grade cacao comes from a community of women cacao growers who prioritize their intention to protect their local ecosystems while supporting their families and communities.

Both groups produce cacao on a smaller scale, focusing on quality and sustainability over quantity. Their work is not driven by mass export that’s why their cacao isn’t for global export in large scale, but rather for local markets, where they can stay connected to their community and environment by deeply respecting their land and a commitment to preserving it for future generations.

The way they grow their cacao is rooted in regenerative farming practices, which minimize harm to nature and ensure the land remains healthy and fertile for future generations. By protecting the biodiversity of their fields and forests, they ensure that their cacao plants can continue to thrive, benefiting both the earth and their communities.

Our partnership with these growers is built on fairness and respect. They’re not just farmers, they’re community members, working alongside family and neighbors to create stronger, more resilient communities. For us, it’s important to honor their work with a fair price that reflects the energy, time, and care that goes into producing each batch of cacao paste.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to deepen our involvement with these growers and their communities. We hope to support local projects that have a positive social, cultural, and environmental impact, helping not just through our purchases, but through purposeful collaboration to foster long-term, meaningful impact.

Throughout our sourcing process, we believe sustainability is about more than just protecting the planet, it’s also about supporting the people who care for it 💚

Cacao plays a deeply meaningful role in the lives of the growers we work with, although it is possible that they do not approach cacao with a specific intention beyond seeing it as a sacred medicine plant. They do not perform rituals, sing mantras, or engage in ceremony-based songs during the production process. However, we wholeheartedly believe that this does not diminish their reverence for cacao. They treat it with great respect and gratitude, seeing it as a food medicine that nourishes the mind, body, and
spirit.

The growers view cacao, in its purest form, as a powerful offering with a multitude of health benefits. This understanding drives them to give their best at every step of the process, from cultivation to the creation of cacao paste. In Peru, pure organic cacao paste is highly valued, and the cherished knowledge about its healing properties has been passed down from ancient cacao communities to the local growers we work with today.

These growers consume the cacao they produce because they trust it to be the purest and most authentic form of nourishment, fully embracing its healing, grounding, and restorative benefits. Cacao is not only a cherished part of their daily family life, but also a vital element to be shared in local rituals and community gatherings. Through these moments, they honor the deep cultural roots and heritage that cacao has always carried in their traditions.

In this way, while our growers may not practice formal ceremonies, their connection to cacao is deeply spiritual and grounded in a mindful practice of respect, gratitude, and intentionality, ensuring that cacao continues to be honored as a sacred gift.

• Actual colors may vary a little from those shown in the pictures due to the nature of the photography and monitor color settings.
• All of our products are handmade, thus they may not be exactly as shown in the photos. Pictures displayed in listings are a reference only. Therefore, it may be minor changes.

• Please be aware that import duties, taxes, and charges are not included in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer’s responsibility. We strongly recommend all of our customers check with their own country’s customs office to determine these additional costs prior to buying.

• Shipping:
– We use the Peruvian Postal Service (Serpost) to ship all of our products worldwide.
– The regular shipping time is 10-20 days from the shipping date. However, sometimes shipping takes longer due to the specific transit time set by each country’s postal service, as well as for each country’s customs procedures.

• Tracking:
– You can get information on your shipping status using your tracking number “RRXXXXXXXXXPE” in the link below:
https://www.serpost.com.pe/Cliente/SegumientoLinea

• Returns:
– Buyers are responsible for return shipping costs, and
– Buyers are responsible for any loss in value if an item isn’t returned in its original condition.

• Exchanges:
We may exchange an item for another one of the same type provided that:
– The item is returned in its same original condition, and
– Buyers assume the total cost of the return shipping as well as the total cost of the new shipping.

For this, we kindly ask that before asking for the exchange take into account the following:
– The items’ actual colors may differ from those shown in the pictures due to the nature of the photography and monitor color settings, and
– Most importantly, please take into account that ALL OF OUR PRODUCTS ARE HANDMADE, thus they may not be exactly as shown in the listing photos, pictures are a reference only; thus, it may be minor changes in color tones, sizes, and shapes.

• Failed Delivery:
Please be aware that sometimes items are returned to Chakana Journey due to failed delivery for different reasons such as “unclaimed”, “addressee not available at the time of delivery”, “failed delivery attempt”, “unsuccessful delivery”, among others. In these events, we offer you two options:
– We may ship again the item provided that buyers assume the total cost of the item’s new shipping, or
– We may refund the amount of the item but we will deduct the actual and total initial item’s shipping cost.

• We strive our best to satisfy our customers to the fullest. However, in case you are not satisfied, please contact us immediately and we will do everything possible to provide you with a solution, always trying to offer you the best option.

• If you have any questions, queries, or issues, don’t hesitate to contact us via:
– Messaging channel, or
– Writing an e-mail at chakanajourney@gmail.com.

We usually answer back the same day or the next working day.

If we have earned your satisfaction, let your friends know about your experience!

With respect and love 💚🙏