When it comes to gathering amongst the healing power of community, Oaxacan Spice is one of our favorite cacaos.
This Enhanced Cacao carries warming and elevating qualities, which remind us of gathering around the fire with friends, family, and loved ones. It’s ideal for creating those cherished celebratory atmospheres.
Most importantly, Oaxacan Spice delivers some incredible healing benefits that keep your fire for life ablaze.
Let’s discover these benefits. But first, let’s learn about the inspiration behind this classic cacao!
Why Cacao + Spice?
Ancient peoples of central & South America loved drinking their chocolate hot and spicy rather than sugary. So, our Oaxacan spice is a modern interpretation of ancient Mayan drinking chocolate honoring our Zapotec elder Maria, who taught us the time-honored ways of chocolate making in Oaxaca back in 2012.
In the courtyard of her home over the coals of a fire, Maria and Jonas toasted the cacao held by a clay comal and hand-peeled it beneath the village's sacred mountain.
As they shared stories and laughter, they stone-ground and mixed the cacao with local honey. Cacao ritual has always been a community-building experience, and Jonas certainly experienced that as he prepared cacao in the traditional ways with Maria that day.
The end result? It was the most flavorful and alive chocolate Jonas had ever experienced, and he felt more connected to the process than ever! Then and there, the seed of Firefly Chocolate was conceived.
Oaxacan Spice Ingredients
This Enhanced 100% Cacao has a life-supporting blend of cacao and spices: Glowing Guatemala is the base cacao with Ceylon Cinnamon from Sri Lanka, Cardamom from Guatemala, Ginger from China, and Cayenne from India.
Benefits of Oaxacan Spice
The ingredients in Oaxacan Spice have long been used worldwide for healing purposes.
Collectively, here the powerful ways this enhanced cacao supports your health:
- Improves circulation, oxygenation, and digestion
- Provides anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal benefits
- Lowers bad cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of metabolic disease (diabetes, heart disease)
- Reduces (menstrual) pain
- Protects neurons and improves motor function for those suffering from Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s
*This Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider.
Feels: Celebratory, Elevating, Warming
Useful For: Circulatory Support and Community
Tastes Like: Chili, Cinnamon, Cardamom
"Incredible bite! I have purchased cacao with the descriptive word "spice" but often my taste buds reach to find it. This is an incredible balance of rich chocolate and a true, authentic flavor I know from Sacred Ceremonies held in my ancestral land of Mexico. It tastes like abuelita's." - Sandee B.
"Deep conversations, warm core! This cacao is perfect for warming the core. Eight of us sat by an open fire, outside, in December in Montana, and shared conversation that deepened with every sip of Oaxacan Spice. We were delighted not only with the flavor, but with the gentle urging from within that our truth could come forward on waves of spicy confidence. Powerful!" - Geffen G.
Social Impact: Cacao Builds Bridges
The base cacao in this enhanced cacao comes from a remote village in Guatemala of 125 families that make 90% of their income from cacao.
They are disconnected from the rest of the world except for a footbridge crossing the raging Cahabón river, across which they carefully carry the 100lb sacks of cacao one by one.
We've personally visited this origin and scaled this footbridge, which was sadly destroyed in a big storm in 2020. However, the cacao community came together and thousands of dollars were raised to fund the construction of a new bridge.
Fortunately, these farmers have since been able to support their livelihoods and continue their labor of love with cacao!
See the pics of the new bridge below. If you donated to this fundraiser and/or simply purchased cacao from us, THANK YOU! You made a meaningful impact and helped us re-build the bridge to their livelihoods.
How Customers Are Feeling
"Wake up senses with spices. Particularly enjoy fragrant, uplifting Oaxacan Spice chocolate for my hot morning beverage, even during 140 days of 100*Fahrenheit daytime temperatures." - Marie A.
"Sooooo Perfect! I was drawn to try the Oaxacan Spice, and I am so glad I did. I found this to be a perfect blend of spices to warm my body, mind, and soul. There is something absolutely magical about this blend!" - Holly C.
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How can we support your cacao journey? We'd love to hear from you! Reply to this email, reach out on social media, or click on the bottom-right-hand corner of our website for help.
With Love, Gratitude, & Cacao,
Jonas & The Firefly Family
