Meet the Ashaninka

GUARDIANS OF THE RAINFOREST

Whenever there is an imbalance between humans and nature, cacao makes its way out of the jungle to open our hearts and restore the planet to a state of harmony.

ANCIENT MAYAN LEGEND

WILD CRAFTED ETHICALLY SOURCED INDIGENOUS GROWN CEREMONIAL GRADE CRIOLLO CACAO

Your Impact

Deep in the heart of the Amazon Basin, one of the world’s oldest tribes still lives in the jungle today - the Ashaninka. Here, over 350 families grow and cultivate our wild-crafted cacao beneath the forest canopy as a way to protect their land and preserve their way of life.

Each sip supports this mission.

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100% ORGANIC GLUTEN FREE REFINED SUGAR-FREE VEGAN SUPERFOODS

22

Communities

350+

Families

3500+

People

95%

Land secured

WILD-CRAFTED CRIOLLO CACAO

For the Ashaninka, Cacao serves as an economic support. Harvesting most of their food from the forest, the Ashaninka commercialise their Cacao to preserve their land and protect their culture.

FELIXTO
President - Cacao Co-operative Ashaninka

BETTER FOR YOU & THE PLANET

How Cacao is healing the Amazon

Caring for Culture

Ashaninka culture is rooted in deep respect for the Earth, communal living and the sacredness of ancestral knowledge. Through shared values, they preserve traditions that honour both people and planet. At Sacred Taste, we support this living wisdom by helping nurture the next generation of land and culture custodians.

Preserving the Land

For the Ashaninka, the rainforest is not just a place to visit - it is their home, their history and their teacher. Every river, tree, and animal is part of a sacred relationship with nature. By sourcing our cacao directly from Ashaninka communities, we help protect acres of Amazon rainforest and the wisdom it holds.

A Way of Life

Life in Ashaninka communities is guided by unity, connection, and care. Food is grown together, stories are shared around the fire, and wisdom is passed from generation to generation. Every step, from harvesting cacao to preparing plant medicine, is done with intention, presence, and deep respect for all living things.

The Kemetsa Asaika are 8 principles the Ashaninka live by

1. Live as Ashaninkasanori

To live in alignment with Ashaninka identity and traditions.
This means maintaining cultural pride, speaking their native language, following ancestral customs, and staying true to their way of life, despite external pressures.

2. Live eating what we know

To eat traditional, locally grown or gathered foods.
This reflects food sovereignty - choosing nourishment that’s culturally appropriate, seasonal, and sustainable, rather than relying on imported or processed food.

3. Live safe and quiet in our usual territory

To feel secure and at peace in their ancestral lands.
Safety here is about protecting land rights and having freedom from intrusion, violence, or displacement caused by illegal logging, mining, or militarization.

4. Live in peace without suffering from terrorism

To be free from conflict, fear, and militarised violence.
This echoes the trauma some Indigenous communities have faced, especially in regions historically impacted by guerrilla warfare, drug trafficking, or external armed forces.

5. Live better producing to buy what we need

To generate sustainable income through their own production and craftsmanship.
This includes cultivating cacao, weaving, or other community enterprises that allow them to meet their needs without dependency or exploitation.

6. Live healthy with our knowledge and well taken care of by the brigade

To integrate traditional medicine with respectful modern healthcare support.
This principle honours ancestral healing practices while recognising the value of quality, accessible healthcare by the brigade.

7. Live with an education that improves us and empowers us like Asháninka

To access culturally relevant, empowering education.
Education should uplift their identity, not erase it. This calls for systems that teach reading, writing, and critical thinking without suppressing their language, history, and worldview.

8. Live well with an organisation that listens to us and defends our rights

To be represented and protected by organisations that truly serve the people.
This is about self-determination - working with allies who respect Indigenous voices, help secure land rights, and advocate for justice, instead of imposing external agendas.

These principles form the moral compass and vision of the Ashaninka. They remind us that a truly sacred partnership means listening to their voices, honouring their wisdom, and co-creating a world where these values can thrive.

Protect the Amazon
Rainforest

Every cup of Sacred helps protect the Amazon rainforest. By choosing our wild-crafted cacao, you support reforestation, Indigenous land rights, and the lungs of our planet - for generations to come. This is more than a superfood trend - it’s a movement of unity and trust.

Empower Ashaninkan Communities

We work directly with Ashaninkan families in Peru, sourcing cacao from deep within their ancestral lands. Your support fuels fair trade, cultural preservation, and a thriving future for these communities. Together, we’re helping Indigenous peoples get their land titles back.

Share the best Cacao with the world

Our cacao is wild-crafted Criollo Cacao - pure, and powerful. Packed with nutrients that energise the body and open the heart. This isn’t cocoa - this is real, ceremonial-grade cacao - just as it’s been used for thousands of years. A gift from nature, shared with love and intention.

NEWS

5 MIN. READ

The Ashaninka: Guardians of the Rainforest

Discover the story of the Ashaninka - one of the oldest Indigenous tribes in the Amazon - and how wild-grown heirloom Criollo cacao is helping them protect their rainforest, preserve their culture, and protect their wayof life .

NEWS

7 MIN. READ

The Cacao Crisis: is this the end of Chocolate?

With increase in demand and Cacao shortages all around the world, how will protect this Ancient Superfood.

Peru - South America

The Amazon Basin is the birthplace of cacao and home to the original Criollo cacao strain. Although Peru holds this rich legacy, it now accounts for just 4% of the global cacao market.

Rio Ene - Cacao River

Along the Rio Ene, 350 Ashaninka families living in 22 communities grow our cacao to protect their rainforest. Thanks to your support - 95% of their land is been secured.

Messages of hope from our Growers

Cacao might have nutritional benefit, but the real benefit is the conservation

Pedro

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Meet the Ashaninka

Whenever there is an imbalance between humans and nature, cacao makes its way out of the jungle to open our hearts and restore the planet to a state of harmony.

22

350+

3500+

95%

For the Ashaninka, Cacao serves as an economic support. Harvesting most of their food from the forest, the Ashaninka commercialise their Cacao to preserve their land and protect their culture.

Wild-Crafted Criollo Cacao

How Cacao is healing the Amazon

Caring for Culture

Preserving the Land

A Way of Life

Preserving
Ancient Traditions

The Kemetsa Asaika are 8 principles the Ashaninka live by

These principles form the moral compass and vision of the Ashaninka. They remind us that a truly sacred partnership means listening to their voices, honouring their wisdom, and co-creating a world where these values can thrive.

Our Mission

Protect the Amazon
Rainforest

Empower Ashaninkan Communities

Share the best Cacao with the world

The Ashaninka: Guardians of the Rainforest

The Cacao Crisis: is this the end of Chocolate?

Where our Cacao Comes from

Peru - South America

Rio Ene - Cacao River

Messages of hope from our Growers

Stay Connected

Country/region

Search

Menu

Meet the Ashaninka

Whenever there is an imbalance between humans and nature, cacao makes its way out of the jungle to open our hearts and restore the planet to a state of harmony.

22

350+

3500+

95%

For the Ashaninka, Cacao serves as an economic support. Harvesting most of their food from the forest, the Ashaninka commercialise their Cacao to preserve their land and protect their culture.

Wild-Crafted Criollo Cacao

How Cacao is healing the Amazon

Caring for Culture

Preserving the Land

A Way of Life

Preserving Ancient Traditions

The Kemetsa Asaika are 8 principles the Ashaninka live by

These principles form the moral compass and vision of the Ashaninka. They remind us that a truly sacred partnership means listening to their voices, honouring their wisdom, and co-creating a world where these values can thrive.

Our Mission

Protect the Amazon Rainforest

Empower Ashaninkan Communities

Share the best Cacao with the world

The Ashaninka: Guardians of the Rainforest

The Cacao Crisis: is this the end of Chocolate?

Where our Cacao Comes from

Peru - South America

Rio Ene - Cacao River

Messages of hope from our Growers

Stay Connected

Preserving
Ancient Traditions

Protect the Amazon
Rainforest