Cafe Con Cacao & Feliz Latinè Heritage Month in Partnership with Pinteres
Pantry Recipe
Cafe Con Cacao & Feliz Latinè Heritage Month in Partnership with Pinterest
Feliz Latinè Heritage Month! It’s celebrated September 15th through October 15th. I am a proud Latinè, my father is from Chile. I am excited to share my heritage through a paid partnership with Pinterest this month. One of the deepest ways I’ve connected with my Latinè heritage is by drinking ceremonial cacao daily. It’s a plant medicine that has been drunk for thousands of years by the Olmecs, the Mayans, the Toltecs, the Aztecs, and other cultures. It’s known as a heart opener and it’s cracked mine wide open to opportunities and the potential of my life.
What makes ceremonial cacao different from modern chocolate? Ceremonial cacao is grown using heirloom varieties of cacao. It’s also supported by indigenous communities and the elders who teach and carry on the ancient wisdom of cacao in countries like Guatemala and Ecuador. For me, it’s also important to support Latinè brands like Cacao Laboratory that ensure that ancient traditions and sustainable farming practices are being honored.
This past summer, I visited my sister in upstate NY. She has a beautiful espresso machine, so I used it to make a drink that mixes cacao and espresso. It’s not traditional to add espresso, but for me, it symbolizes the blending of my Latinè and Italian American cultures. I drink it to respect my ancestors who came before me and honor those who carry on the ancient wisdom of cacao.
I find that drinking the cacao is even more of a treat when I’m able to sit outside and watch my children play as I journal. On busy weekday mornings, I do a very condensed version of this routine and use my blender for a quick, creamy, and frothy beverage and still squeeze in a page of journaling. It’s something that grounds me and connects me to my ancestors. I am grateful for this practice. I put my simple Mug Mindfulness Practice that you can listen to below. You can also download the Cooking Meditation Album for free!
Note: Can’t find ceremonial-grade cacao? You can also use 2 Tbsp. of powdered cacao. Also, I don’t sweeten mine, but feel free to use your favorite sweetener.
xo Chef Carla
PS: Want to create your own Latinè content for Pinterest? Fill out this form and submit what lights you up under the following categories: Intersectional Latiné Identities / Culture (storytelling), Latiné Recipes, Latin Travel Destinations, Experiences, & Venues, Latiné Traditions and/or Superstitious Practices, Anything else you'd like to create that is Latiné-inspired. If you have any questions, send me a DM on Instagram at @chefcarlacontreras
Cafe Con Cacao:
Serves 1
1 heaping Tbsp. (about 28 grams) ceremonial-grade cacao Note: I buy Cacao Lab Use the code ChefCarla10
1/2 cup 165°F water (warm, not boiling)
1/4 cup strong coffee (optional)
1 tsp. sweetener (optional)
Instructions Cafe Con Cacao:
Add the cacao to your favorite mug. Pour the warm water over the espresso and cacao and let sit for one to two minutes.
Whisk with a traditional molinillo in a bowl or use a milk frother to incorporate. Note: This mixture can also be placed in a blender for an extra-creamy texture for 30 seconds.
See the post on Pinterest
Mug Mindfulness Full Transcript:
Hey it's chef Carla and welcome to your mug mindfulness practice. I invite you to get whatever beverage you like hot or cold and place your hands around it and really feel the temperature here is it hot. Is it cold if it's too hot. Maybe you want to pull your hands back, just a tiny bit. Really be in the presence of the mug.
I'm going to invite you to take a deep breath in your nose and a deep breath out your nose or mouth. There's nothing else to do. There's nowhere else to go. There's nothing else to think of you're simply having an experience with your beverage right now I'm to invite you to take one more deep breath in your nose and a deep breath out your nose or mouth I'm going to invite you to smell the beverage really take an inhale here and what does it smell like.
Can you imagine what it tastes like go ahead and take a sip. What is the flavor? What is the temperature? How does it feel in your mouth? I would invite you to take another deep breath in your nose. And a deep breath out your nose or mouth and I hope that you enjoy your cup I'm sending you so much. Love bye.
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Feliz Latinè Heritage Month! It’s celebrated September 15th through October 15th. I am a proud Latinè, my father is from Chile. I am excited to share my heritage through a paid partnership with Pinterest this month. One of the deepest ways I’ve connected with my Latinè heritage is by drinking ceremonial cacao daily. It’s a plant medicine that has been drunk for thousands of years by the Olmecs, the Mayans, the Toltecs, the Aztecs, the Incas, and other cultures. It’s known as a heart opener and it’s cracked mine wide open to opportunities and the potential of my life.