JVZ(El Jeffé/Don Jefé)
New Member
I have yet to meet anyone else who has tried this or even see an article or thread on this subject. So I thought it would make an interesting subject to explore here and maybe introduce you all to a new pairing option. If you love chocolate as much as I do you have to try it! Especially if you love chocolate tasting notes in your cigars.
I am not talking about your typical processed hot chocolate. I am talking about real pure ceremonial grade cacao. The stuff that the ancient Myans and other natives from Central and South America have used for rituals, ceremonies and even just to go work in the fields. This cacao has been used like this for thousands of years. It is unrefined and very minimally processed. Basically just fermented, roasted and stone ground cacao beans. Much like cigars, the region it is grown in, the soil, fermentation and roasting process all give each unique strain and varient their own unique and complex tasting notes. Like cigars, each harvest can be a little different. There are many parallels between this cacao and premium cigars.
As an added bonus ceremonial cacao is actually very healthy and has mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual benefits. In fact, it was for a ceremony with cacao that led me to my local B&M tobacconist to look for a good cigar to pair with the cacao I had at the time. After discussing it and asking me some questions, he led me to the Eiroa CBT Maduro, which paired absolutely perfect! That encounter is what brought me back to the cigar world. He spent a good amount of time with me in the humidor discussing it and helping me decide. I was so impressed by that I ended up bringing him some of the cacao. That place is now my go to for cigars.
Pure ceremonial grade cacao is very bitter, much like black coffee. I do drink it pure sometimes, but also the brand I use has a signature blend that uses panela sugar, vanilla powder and chili powder. There are many ways to prepare it. The most common sweetener are panela sugar, raw honey or maple syrup. Also pure vanilla powder, certain chili powders, cardamom and other various native spices have been used to enhance the flavors historically. You can definitely experiment, but to get the most authentic experience, I always recommend trying it pure at least once or twice. There are many strains and varients of cacao. The brand I use has a few options like Criolo, Chuncho and a strain from the Arhuaco tribe in Columbia. I am not sure If I'm permitted to name the brand on here though. I have met and sat in ceremony with the founder of the company and it is all heirloom strain, organic regenerative farmed cacao and beyond fair trade! It is the main cacao I personally use and recommend. Although there are many options available out there. The main thing is to make sure that it is ceremonial grade. There are unfortunately a lot of fakes that aren't true ceremonial grade.
I love cigars and I love ceremonial cacao! I love even more experiencing them together. I would love to discuss this with anyone interested! I plan to experiment more with complimentary as well as contrasting cigars. This will be a fun process, as there are so many different cacao strains and even more cigar tasting note options!
Be well
I am not talking about your typical processed hot chocolate. I am talking about real pure ceremonial grade cacao. The stuff that the ancient Myans and other natives from Central and South America have used for rituals, ceremonies and even just to go work in the fields. This cacao has been used like this for thousands of years. It is unrefined and very minimally processed. Basically just fermented, roasted and stone ground cacao beans. Much like cigars, the region it is grown in, the soil, fermentation and roasting process all give each unique strain and varient their own unique and complex tasting notes. Like cigars, each harvest can be a little different. There are many parallels between this cacao and premium cigars.
As an added bonus ceremonial cacao is actually very healthy and has mental, physical, emotional, and even spiritual benefits. In fact, it was for a ceremony with cacao that led me to my local B&M tobacconist to look for a good cigar to pair with the cacao I had at the time. After discussing it and asking me some questions, he led me to the Eiroa CBT Maduro, which paired absolutely perfect! That encounter is what brought me back to the cigar world. He spent a good amount of time with me in the humidor discussing it and helping me decide. I was so impressed by that I ended up bringing him some of the cacao. That place is now my go to for cigars.
Pure ceremonial grade cacao is very bitter, much like black coffee. I do drink it pure sometimes, but also the brand I use has a signature blend that uses panela sugar, vanilla powder and chili powder. There are many ways to prepare it. The most common sweetener are panela sugar, raw honey or maple syrup. Also pure vanilla powder, certain chili powders, cardamom and other various native spices have been used to enhance the flavors historically. You can definitely experiment, but to get the most authentic experience, I always recommend trying it pure at least once or twice. There are many strains and varients of cacao. The brand I use has a few options like Criolo, Chuncho and a strain from the Arhuaco tribe in Columbia. I am not sure If I'm permitted to name the brand on here though. I have met and sat in ceremony with the founder of the company and it is all heirloom strain, organic regenerative farmed cacao and beyond fair trade! It is the main cacao I personally use and recommend. Although there are many options available out there. The main thing is to make sure that it is ceremonial grade. There are unfortunately a lot of fakes that aren't true ceremonial grade.
I love cigars and I love ceremonial cacao! I love even more experiencing them together. I would love to discuss this with anyone interested! I plan to experiment more with complimentary as well as contrasting cigars. This will be a fun process, as there are so many different cacao strains and even more cigar tasting note options!
Be well
