Warm and earthy, with notes of cinnamon, roasted nuts, and a gentle floral finish. Fuller and more grounding than our fruit-forward origins — the Chuncho variety naturally develops warm, spiced complexity from growing at high altitude in the Andean climate.

Chuncho is a native cacao variety found almost exclusively in the Cusco region of Peru — classified by researchers as its own distinct genetic group. It is considered one of the oldest and most aromatically rich cacao varieties in the world, and some scientists believe it may be the genetic ancestor of all fine cacao. Centuries of isolation in the Urubamba Valley kept it genetically pure and unadulterated.

Chuncho grows at 400–1,400m altitude — almost unheard of for cacao — in a geographically isolated valley that kept it genetically pure for centuries. A decade ago the variety nearly disappeared when farmers were being paid commodity prices and were ready to cut down their trees. Direct trade premiums are what saved it. The trees producing this cacao include some that are over 200 years old.

High Amazon grows in humid rainforest at low altitude and produces a bold, berry-forward, approachable flavor — our most popular daily ritual cacao. Sacred Valley grows at high altitude in the Andean foothills and produces a warmer, earthier, more complex profile with cinnamon and nut notes. High Amazon is the everyday explorer; Sacred Valley is what the explorer reaches for on special occasions.

Tropical Desert is bright and citrus-forward — energizing and uplifting. Sacred Valley is warm and grounding — earthy, spiced, and deep. If Tropical Desert is a morning sunrise, Sacred Valley is an evening fire.

The Chuncho variety was domesticated by the Machiguenga people — the ancestral inhabitants of the Urubamba Valley — and traded during the height of the Inca Empire, when Cusco was the highest cacao-producing region in all of Peru. The Incas used the pods as currency and the beans to make drinks. The trees producing today's Chuncho are the same genetic lineage they cultivated.

For a daily ritual: 21g (approximately 4 coins). For a deeper ceremonial experience: 35–45g. Sacred Valley is particularly well suited to ceremonial doses — its warm, grounding character deepens with intention and stillness.

Yes. Many people use Sacred Valley as their daily ritual cacao — its warm, earthy depth makes it particularly grounding for morning practices. Start gently and listen to your body. If pregnant or managing a medical condition, consult a healthcare professional before use.

Cacao contains natural cacao butter and can soften in warm weather. If melting occurs, allow it to return to room temperature — quality and safety are not affected. During summer months we recommend adding warm weather protection at checkout.

Sacred Valley Chuncho is one of the rarest cacao varieties on Earth — grown at extreme altitude, in an isolated Andean valley, from trees that are sometimes over 200 years old. We pay a premium above commodity prices directly to the farming families, with no middlemen. You are paying for ancient genetics, living heritage, direct relationships, independent testing, and craft at origin. Cocoa powder is also a fundamentally different product — heavily processed, with the cacao fat removed. Your body needs that natural fat to properly absorb cacao's beneficial compounds. This is not commodity cocoa.