The cacao I use and share through Yanacacao comes directly from the Ija´tz Collective — a small, heart-centered community based in San Marcos La Laguna, on the shores of Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.
“Ija´tz” means seed in the Mayan Kaqchikel language — a sacred word that speaks to our connection with Mother Earth and all that sustains life. Among these seeds, cacao holds a special place — considered by the Mayan ancestors as a divine gift from the Creator, a plant of strength, balance, and heart awakening.
From the lush volcanic soils of Suchitepéquez on Guatemala’s Pacific coast, the cacao trees are cultivated organically by local Mayan families. Each step — from fermentation to roasting and hand-peeling — is done with reverence by the Kaqchikel women and families who form the Ija´tz collective.
Their plantations, lovingly called “Paraíso”, are intertwined with natural springs, coffee plants, and ancient ceiba trees — the sacred Trees of Life in Mayan tradition. These lands infuse the cacao with a unique energy: grounding, potent, and deeply heart-opening.
By collaborating directly with Ija´tz, I honor their ancestral wisdom, craftsmanship, and spiritual lineage. Every block of cacao you receive from Yanacacao supports ethical trade, uplifts local Mayan families, and helps preserve their cultural and spiritual heritage.
Each sip is a prayer — carrying the energy of the land, the stories of the grandmothers and grandfathers, and the living spirit of cacao that continues to open hearts across the world.
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