Cacao is a bridge between generations, a tradition passed down from grandparents to grandchildren, and a symbol of connection to the land. From Indigenous families who have kept cacao at the center of their lives for centuries to younger generations rediscovering its value today, cacao continues to tie families and communities together in powerful ways.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we see this every day. Visitors often ask why cacao feels so special here. The answer is simple: it’s because cacao carries stories, memories, and roots that run deep in Costa Rican soil.
Indigenous Roots That Keep the Tradition Alive
For Indigenous groups like the Maleku, cacao has always been sacred. It was consumed as food and used in ceremonies, healing, and community rituals. Families prepared cacao drinks to share in moments of celebration, reflection, or prayer. These practices ensured that cacao wasn’t only about taste, but about connection and respect.
Even today, many Indigenous families in Costa Rica continue to prepare cacao the traditional way, grinding the beans by hand and whisking them into warm drinks without sugar. These customs remind younger generations of the spiritual and cultural value of cacao, keeping ancient wisdom alive.
Passing Knowledge from One Generation to the Next
In rural areas of Guanacaste and Upala, families who farm cacao often talk about how knowledge comes from the hands of grandparents. Elders teach children how to recognize when pods are ripe, how to ferment and dry beans properly, and how to prepare traditional cacao drinks.
This teaching goes beyond farming. It is also about values: patience, respect for nature, and gratitude for what the forest provides. In this way, cacao becomes a teacher itself, showing families how to live in balance with the land.
A Tradition Being Rediscovered
For a time, cacao lost ground in Costa Rica. Coffee and bananas became dominant crops, and in many regions, families moved away from cacao farming. The use of cacao in everyday life diminished, especially in urban areas.
But in recent years, something has shifted. Young people are returning to cacao, inspired by its health benefits, cultural roots, and the growing bean-to-bar movement. They learn from their grandparents while also experiment with new recipes and products, bridging tradition with innovation.
This revival is most visible in places like Guanacaste and Upala, where cacao still thrives in the soil and in community life. Here, families are rediscovering what earlier generations always knew: that cacao is both nourishment and heritage.
Different Regions, Different Uses
Cacao’s presence varies across Costa Rica. In Indigenous areas, it remains closely tied to ceremony and culture. In the northern and coastal regions like Guanacaste and Upala, it is tied to farming and family income. In the Central Valley, cacao is less common in daily life but is gaining attention as people reconnect with local food traditions.
This diversity reflects Costa Rica itself, a country where cacao takes on different meanings depending on the community, but always holds the power to connect people across time and place.
The Future of Cacao in Families
As more families bring cacao back into their kitchens, its role continues to grow. Parents prepare traditional drinking cacao for their children, farmers teach visitors how to open pods, and young entrepreneurs use cacao to create new products while honoring its heritage.
Each generation adapts cacao in its own way, but the thread remains the same: cacao connects the past with the future, keeping culture alive while opening new possibilities.
Cacao is a gift that ties Costa Rican families together. It connects Indigenous traditions with modern practices, grandparents with grandchildren, and regions with their unique histories. While it has always been more present in some areas than others, cacao’s revival across the country shows how deeply it belongs to Costa Rica’s story.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we are proud to be part of this living tradition. Every pod, every bar, and every cup of cacao we share carries the memory of those who came before—and the promise of those who will continue the journey.
