Few foods in human history carry a title as powerful and evocative as cacao: Theobroma cacao which is literally translated as “food of the gods.” This sacred name was not given lightly. Long before chocolate became a global delight, ancient civilizations across Mesoamerica revered cacao as both a divine gift and a daily sustenance.
At Blue Valley Chocolate, we often hear visitors ask: “Why is cacao called the food of the gods?” The answer stretches across history, culture, and spirituality, reminding us why cacao remains far more than just an ingredient for sweets.
The Origins of the Name
The scientific name of the cacao tree, Theobroma cacao, comes from the Greek words theos (god) and broma (food). This term was chosen by Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in the 18th century, recognizing cacao’s sacred status among Indigenous peoples. But the reverence for cacao long predates European classification.
For the Mayans, Aztecs, and Indigenous groups in Central America like Costa Rica’s Maleku, cacao was considered a divine substance. It was consumed in sacred rituals, offered to gods during ceremonies, and reserved for warriors, rulers, and shamans. Drinking cacao was a way to commune with the divine and strengthen the body and spirit.
A Sacred Drink of Ancient Civilizations
The Maya and Cacao
The Maya prepared cacao as a bitter, frothy drink, often mixed with maize, spices, or chili. They believed cacao was a gift from the gods to humanity, and it was present at every important life stage: from birth rituals to marriages and funerals. For the Maya, to drink cacao was to taste the essence of the universe itself.
The Aztecs and Divine Energy
For the Aztecs, cacao was so precious that it was used as currency. A handful of cacao beans could buy food, pay taxes, or even serve as tribute to rulers. The Aztecs associated cacao with the god Quetzalcoatl, the feathered serpent deity who, according to legend, brought cacao to humanity as a divine gift. Warriors drank cacao before battle for energy and strength, believing it infused them with power.
The Maleku and Spiritual Healing
In Costa Rica, the Maleku people continue to honor cacao as medicine for the heart and soul. Consumed during ceremonies, cacao opens the heart, deepens community bonds, and connects people with the earth and their ancestors. Here, cacao is not only food for the gods but also food for the people being recognized as a sacred nourishment that heals.
Why Cacao Is Still a Divine Food
Even today, cacao maintains its reputation as something beyond ordinary. Science has caught up with tradition, showing that cacao is rich in antioxidants, magnesium, and compounds that stimulate joy and relaxation. Drinking pure cacao brings clarity, energy, and a sense of wellbeing, benefits the ancients already knew.
When people participate in cacao ceremonies today, they often describe feeling more open, grounded, and connected. This mirrors the ancient view of cacao as a bridge between the human and the divine.
Lessons from the Name “Food of the Gods”
Calling cacao “The Food of the Gods” carries deep lessons for us today:
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Respect for Nature’s Gifts
The name reminds us to treat cacao with reverence. It is more than an ingredient for chocolate bars; it is a plant that has fed civilizations and carried spiritual significance for millennia. -
Food Beyond Nutrition
Cacao is both physical nourishment and emotional medicine. It strengthens the body while opening the heart. That duality explains why it was always associated with higher powers. -
Cultural Connection
By honoring cacao as divine, we acknowledge the wisdom of the cultures who cultivated and celebrated it long before modern chocolate existed.
Experiencing “The Food of the Gods” at Blue Valley Chocolate
When visitors come to Blue Valley Chocolate in Brasilito, Guanacaste, they experience why cacao was considered sacred. From walking through the cacao trees to tasting freshly roasted beans and sipping rich, pure cacao, guests connect with the deeper story behind chocolate.
Imagine standing among cacao trees, their pods hanging heavy with seeds, listening to the story of how these beans once traveled from sacred temples to royal courts. Then, taste the cacao drink (thick, earthy, and powerful) and understand why ancient civilizations believed it was meant for gods and kings.
This is what makes visiting a Costa Rican cacao farm so transformative: chocolate becomes more than a treat; it becomes a bridge to history and culture.
Cacao has carried the title The Food of the Gods for centuries because it deserves it. From the Maya to the Aztecs, from the Maleku to modern cacao lovers, cacao has been celebrated as a gift that nourishes body, mind, and spirit.
When you hold a cup of cacao in your hands, you are partaking in the same ritual that connected ancient people to the divine. At Blue Valley Chocolate, we carry that legacy forward. Inviting you to taste not only the flavor of chocolate but also the sacred story that gave it life.
