Quillabamba · Cusco, Peru
Chuncho cacao in its purest form
100% cacao powder from the Chuncho variety, one of the oldest cacao varieties in the world. It comes from Quillabamba in the Cusco region, where the Amazon meets the Andes. It is non-alkalised, with no additives or added sugar. It suits a warm cacao drink, smoothies, breakfast bowls and baking.
✓ 100% cacao ✓ Non-alkalised ✓ No added sugar
Processing
Cold-processed
Taste
Creamy chocolate with notes of honey
A rich taste with notes of honey, fruit and nuts. Chuncho cacao is naturally sweet, without bitterness, with a smooth and long finish. That is why many people drink it without sweetening.
Gentle processing
From hand harvesting to a fine powder
Cacao beans are harvested by hand, without fermentation, gently roasted and cold-processed. Part of the cocoa butter is pressed out of the cacao mass, and the powder keeps 20–22% of its natural fat. The powder is not alkalised and naturally contains polyphenols.
A look into Peru
From cacao beans to a fine powder
Behind every pack is the work of people in Peru. The beans are harvested by hand, sorted and gently roasted. Only then is part of the cocoa butter pressed out and the rest ground into powder.
Sorting
Cacao beans are sorted by hand, one by one.
Gentle roasting
The beans are roasted gently so they keep their natural taste.
Natural compounds of cacao
Theobromine and caffeine
Theobromine
Cacao contains several times more theobromine than caffeine. Theobromine is a compound typical of cacao.
Caffeine
A 10–15 g serving contains approximately up to 35 mg of caffeine. For comparison, a cup of coffee has around 80–100 mg.
The values given are indicative and typical for cacao powder; they are not a laboratory measurement of this product. The actual content varies by variety, harvest and processing.
How to choose
Powder or paste?
This product
Cacao powder
Part of the cocoa butter is pressed out, so the powder has a lighter texture and dissolves quickly in hot or cold liquid. It is practical for an everyday drink, smoothies and baking.
Alternative
Ceremonial cacao (paste)
The paste contains whole cacao beans including all of their cocoa butter. It has a fuller, thicker taste and, in tradition, is used in ceremonies.
View Chuncho ceremonial cacao →
Preparation
How to prepare a cacao drink
1
Heat 200 ml of water or plant-based milk. Do not let it boil.
2
Add 2–3 teaspoons of cacao powder (10–15 g).
3
Whisk until smooth or blend briefly.
4
Sweeten to taste with honey, panela or maple syrup and flavour with cinnamon, vanilla or chilli. In summer you can also serve it cold over ice.
Other uses
✓ Smoothies and protein shakes
✓ Breakfast bowls, porridge and yoghurt
✓ Baking – cakes, biscuits, brownies
✓ Homemade desserts and creams
Composition and values
Nutritional values
| Average values |
per 100 g |
| Energy |
1683 kJ
406 kcal |
| Fat |
20 g |
| of which saturates |
13 g |
| Carbohydrate |
17 g |
| of which sugars |
~0.5 g |
| Fibre |
335 g |
| Protein |
22 g |
| Salt |
0.08 g |
Cacao is a natural product, so values are given as ranges and may differ slightly between batches.
Transparency
Laboratory-tested Chuncho cacao powder
We had the Chuncho cacao powder tested at the Eurofins Food Testing Slovakia laboratory. Below are the values the laboratory measured in a sample in March 2026, together with the permitted limits according to the report.
Cadmium (Cd)
0.085 mg/kg
Permitted limit: 0.6 mg/kg. A heavy metal that occurs naturally in soil.
Lead (Pb)
< 0.050 mg/kg
Permitted limit: 2.0 mg/kg. Below the method's limit of quantification.
Mercury (Hg)
< 0.010 mg/kg
Below the method's limit of quantification.
Ochratoxin A
< 0.25 µg/kg
Permitted limit: 3.0 µg/kg. A mycotoxin (from mould), below the limit of quantification.
Salmonella
Not detected in 25 g
Microbiological analysis, meets the requirements.
Pesticides (screening)
Almost all below the limit
Traces of two substances, see note.
Note on pesticides: the laboratory found traces of 2,4-D (0.012 mg/kg) and diethyltoluamide, DEET (0.015 mg/kg). The 2,4-D value is below the maximum limit for cacao beans (0.1 mg/kg). The analysis covered only the parent compound 2,4-D. DEET is an active ingredient of repellents that may have reached the beans through contact during harvest, and it is not regulated by the pesticide residues regulation.
Cacao is a natural product; the values above come from a single sample and may differ slightly between batches.
We will gladly provide the full laboratory report. Write to us.
Composition
100% Chuncho cacao powder. Gluten-free, lactose-free, no added sugar. Non-alkalised, no additives. Allergens: none.
Warnings
•Contains theobromine and caffeine. If you are sensitive to them, start with a smaller amount.
•Does not replace a varied and balanced diet.
•Store in a dry place, tightly closed and out of the reach of children.
Story and tradition
The spirit of Mama Cacao
Indigenous teachers speak of Mama Cacao, the spirit of cacao who guides those who approach it with respect. Chuncho cacao has been part of this tradition for centuries.
An ancient variety
Chuncho is one of the oldest cacao varieties in the world. It was grown in the Cusco valley even before the Spaniards arrived.
Guardians from the Machiguenga people
The Machiguenga people protected this variety for centuries and have preserved it to this day.
A gift for Pachamama
The Incas offered cacao to Pachamama, Mother Earth, as an expression of gratitude.
Food of the gods
The scientific name Theobroma cacao means “food of the gods” in Greek.
What is the difference between cacao powder and paste? +
In powder, part of the cocoa butter is pressed out of the cacao mass, leaving 20–22% fat. The powder is therefore lighter and mixes easily. The paste contains whole cacao beans with their butter, has a fuller taste and, in tradition, is used in ceremonies.
See ceremonial cacao (paste).How is the cacao processed? +
The cacao beans are harvested by hand, gently roasted without fermentation and cold-processed. Part of the cocoa butter is then pressed out and the rest is ground into a fine powder. The cacao is not alkalised and contains no additives.
How much powder should I use per drink? +
For 200 ml of water or plant-based milk we recommend 2–3 teaspoons, about 10–15 g. If you are new to cacao, feel free to start with less.
Which pack sizes do you offer? +
We offer Chuncho cacao powder in several pack sizes. You choose them right next to the price.
How much is shipping? +
Delivery options and prices depend on your country. The exact price and any free-shipping threshold are shown in your cart and at checkout. See our
shipping policy.
Why do the laboratory results differ between the paste and the powder? +
The paste and the powder are different products and each was tested as a separate sample. Cadmium occurs naturally in soil, so its content differs between samples, batches and products. The values shown come from a single sample from March 2026 and are not a guarantee for every batch. We will gladly provide the full report –
write to us.
Do you ship to my country? +
We ship across Europe. Delivery options (pick-up points, lockers, courier or post office) depend on your country and are shown at checkout. See our
shipping policy.
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