OUR STORY:
FROM BEAN TO BAR AND BEYOND
DISCOVER THE MAGIC BEHIND THE BEAN
Ceremonial cacao is a powerful plant medicine that has been used for centuries in indigenous cultures for spiritual and healing purposes. It is believed to open the heart, connect us to our inner wisdom, and facilitate deep healing and transformation.
The cacao beans used in Keiths Cacao are harvested from Theobroma Cacao (cacao trees) that grow as they are meant to, beneath the canopy of the rainforests, not in an industrial farm or plantation. The farmers connect with the spirit of cacao to tune into the trees that are ready to be harvested. Guatemalan ladies sing as they process the beans by hand, toasting and roasting them, infusing them with joy and love and continually checking the quality of each bean.
At Wholey Cacao we choose to work with Keith's Cacao because of their beautiful and ethical practices, including their generosity with the farmers, the care taken to harvest, and the love put into each and every block of cacao.
If you're looking to explore the world of plant medicine, ceremonial cacao is a beautiful place to start.
MEET OUR CACAO ENTHUSIAST
I am delighted to introduce myself, Jenny Allan (you may call me Jen!), the brand new owner of this beautiful business, Wholey Cacao.
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I have been enjoying the blessings of cacao for quite some years now, having first encountered it, in ceremony, combined with yoga. I knew even before I had it that it was going to be something special but I could never have imagined the journey she has taken me on.
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But first, a bit more about me: I am a massage therapist and teacher of massage, having been involved in this industry for a quarter of a century! Then, in 2021, I completed my 200 hour Yoga Teacher Training. In 2023 I completed a 5 day residential training as a Cacao Facilitator with the lovely Radha of Heart Awakening. And since that time have offered cacao, alongside the restorative yoga and yoga Nidra that are my favourite yoga practices to offer, both in my home town of Hastings as well as the home of my heart and soul, in Pukerua Bay, just north of Wellington.
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The story of how Laura (the previous owner of this business) and I met is truly one of serendipity - written in the stars if you like!
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I look forward so much to sharing my love of cacao - and cacao itself - with the wider community and I hope to meet you all, either virtually or in person, so please reach out and introduce yourself.
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Cacao Blessings,
Jen
