{"product_id":"ceremonial-cacao","title":"100% VRAE Ceremonial Cacao","description":"\u003ch4\u003eCeremonial Cacao\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade In-House | Organic | Direct-Trade | 100% VRAE Cacao | 9 x 35g Circles\/Rounds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeels:\u003c\/strong\u003e Intentionally crafted for celebration and for those who love exceptional cacao. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlavour: \u003c\/strong\u003eFloral, unique fruit and herb notes, low bitterness. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eUse:\u003c\/strong\u003e To prepare, use 1 cacao round per serving. Heat 250 ml of water until just below boiling. Crumble the cacao round into the hot water and whisk or blend until frothy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eNote: \u003c\/b\u003eProcessed in a facility that uses coconut, tree nuts, peanuts, and mushrooms. Store in a cool place; enjoy at room temperature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis cacao is sourced from Peru's renowned\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVRAE region\u003c\/strong\u003e—the Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers—one of the world's great cacao-growing regions. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eThe Story\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe VRAE (Valley of the Apurímac, Ene, and Mantaro Rivers) is home to an extraordinary diversity of native cacao. This cacao butter is produced from a blend of exceptional local varieties including\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVRAE-15, VRAE-99, Chuncho, Criollo, and Trinitario\u003c\/strong\u003e, grown by smallholder farmers at elevations between\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e400 and 1,300 metres\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter harvest, the beans are carefully fermented for\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e6–7 days in neutral hardwood boxes\u003c\/strong\u003e, then slowly sun-dried and shade-finished on the farm. This thoughtful post-harvest process develops a remarkably clean and expressive flavour profile with delicate floral notes alongside hints of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003esoursop, mandarin, custard apple, and subtle mountain herbs\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOur cacao is sourced through\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003edirect trade\u003c\/strong\u003e, ensuring farmers and cooperatives receive prices above Fair Trade minimums while supporting long-term investment in sustainable farming and quality improvement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cacao butter is produced through the\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEl Quinacho Cooperative\u003c\/strong\u003e, a community of\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e255 farming families, including 89 women producers\u003c\/strong\u003e, demonstrating that exceptional chocolate begins with exceptional stewardship of both people and place.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt Light Cellar, we believe\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ehow something is made matters just as much as what it is made from.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003eEvery origin tells its own story. Every cacao has its own personality. This butter captures the remarkable flavour, craftsmanship, and integrity of Peru's VRAE region.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"TLC Kitchen","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45595618017456,"sku":"210000007369","price":50.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1486\/7780\/files\/tlc-vrae-ceremonial-calca.png?v=1789876752","url":"https:\/\/lightcellar.ca\/products\/ceremonial-cacao","provider":"Light Cellar","version":"1.0","type":"link"}