Kakaw Spirit, delicious cocoa…
Cacao ceremonies or a daily cacao moment… Here at De Groene Linde, we’re mad about cocoa. We particularly love having a quick cup of cocoa around 4 o’clock. But finding a delicious and fair-trade cocoa isn’t always that easy. Luckily, we stumbled across Kakaw Spirit – a Dutch company right on our doorstep! After a lovely afternoon of tasting, we were sold – we want to include this product in our range!
The story of Kakaw Spirit: health and personal growth
‘Our story begins with Anouk, who, through her personal journey, came into contact with the world of cacao ceremonies. Drawing on her extensive experience with organic products through her company – Pure and Organic – the idea to launch Kakaw Spirit was born. However, Anouk, who had attended several ceremonies, often came up against a stumbling block: the pure raw cacao nibs often felt heavy on the stomach and lacked the desired flavour, being bitter and sour. This led her to wonder: why not offer cocoa powder? Lighter, milder and with a deeper flavour, whilst retaining all the qualities of pure raw cocoa. At Kakaw Spirit, we believe in accessibility. Our cocoa is designed for everyone, whether you’re just discovering cocoa and cocoa ceremonies or are an experienced user. Whether you’re a beginner exploring the world of cacao or a seasoned enthusiast seeking refinement, Kakaw Spirit invites you to discover the versatility of our products and enjoy the unique taste experience we offer.’
Our cocoa powder is 100% natural. This means that our cocoa powder NOT It has been alkalised; we have kept it as pure as possible. So what exactly is alkalisation? Alkalisation is a treatment
with an alkali, in this case potassium carbonate. The reaction with this additive allows you to raise the pH of the powder slightly. This brings out the cocoa flavour a little more, in contrast to the fruity notes you taste in natural powders. This technique is often used in the larger chocolate industry to achieve a more consistent cocoa flavour.
The power of cocoa
When you start your cocoa moment and begin to connect with your heart, it’s good to know that cocoa naturally contains some wonderful compounds that can help with this. Such as tryptophan, an amino acid involved in the production of serotonin, the “happiness hormone”. This can have a positive effect on your mood and help reduce stress.
Another beneficial compound found in cocoa is phenylethylamine, also known as the “love hormone”. It can improve your mood and stimulate the production of endorphins.
The different flavours
There are five different flavours available in the Earth, Water, Fire, Air and Natural ranges. A spice has been added to the raw cocoa powder, which also has a lovely effect. .
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𝙴𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚑 𝙱𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍
This lovely, warming combination is our favourite! It’s a fantastic blend, especially in winter!
‘Cinnamon was intuitively chosen to represent the earth element. This blend will help you sink deep into your body and feel firmly grounded. So that you can start the day feeling grounded, or whenever you need that deep sense of grounding.’
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𝚆𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙱𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍
A delicious and uplifting blend. The lemongrass adds just the right touch of freshness to the cocoa.
‘Lemongrass was intuitively chosen to represent the element of water. We can sometimes find it difficult to go with the flow of life. This blend will help you accept the flow more quickly and ride these waves more easily. Let life flow!’
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𝙵𝚒𝚛𝚎 𝙱𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍
A spicy blend! The flavour might be a bit intense for some people. Do you like spicy things? Then this warming drink is just the thing for you!
‘Cayenne pepper was chosen intuitively to represent the element of fire. This blend will help you rekindle and stoke the fire within you when it comes to creativity and intuition. Let’s light up the fire in you!’
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𝙰𝚒𝚛 𝙱𝚕𝚎𝚗𝚍
A lovely pick-me-up! With its fresh peppermint flavour, it’s reminiscent of After Eight chocolates ;). It’s a particularly lovely blend to enjoy when you need a bit of a mental refresh….
‘Mint has been intuitively chosen to represent the element of air. If you feel a sense of heaviness in your head and body, mint combined with cocoa can help you to let in more lightness and air.’
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𝙽𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚊𝚕
A pure and delicious cocoa, with no additives. Great for everyday use!
‘This blend is pure; it’s up to you whether you want to add something else or simply use the pure cocoa powder to embark on a deep journey and let it sink into your body.’
What else you might want to know about cocoa
As well as being delicious, a cup of cocoa also has many wonderful ‘side effects’! For example, cocoa gives you a natural energy boost without the subsequent slump. If you still have work to do, cocoa helps you think more clearly and concentrate better. Cocoa is rich in antioxidants, which support your immune system and help you fight free radicals.
Another beneficial compound found in cocoa is flavonoids; these can contribute to a healthy heart by improving blood flow, reducing inflammation and regulating blood pressure. Research also suggests that these flavonoids may improve cognitive functions, including memory and concentration.
We’d like to thank Kakaw Spirit for allowing us to use these beautiful photos and texts! We’re absolutely delighted with this lovely addition to our range and our own little cocoa moments every day at work!
𝙻𝚒𝚎𝚏𝚜 𝚁𝚎𝚋𝚎𝚌𝚌𝚊