Pacific Cacao Paste
You already know what cacao does for you. What you've been looking for is somewhere local, somewhere affordable, and somewhere you can trust the quality. You've found it.
Energy Cacao is pure cacao grown by Pacific farmers, packed by hand right here in Christchurch. Pick it up from us in Waltham or have it couriered anywhere in New Zealand.
Our cacao is grown by farmers in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, then made and packed in small batches here in New Zealand.
For generations, Pacific growers sent their harvest offshore without ever being shown what it could become. That's changing, and the cacao we stock is part of that change. The farmers behind it know their product, use their product, and are proud of what leaves their hands.
When you buy Energy Cacao, you're buying pure cacao with nothing added and nothing taken away - and you're supporting the growers directly behind it.
Made to fit your morning
The kettle’s on, two tablespoons go into the pot, and a few minutes later you’re holding something warm that you made for yourself before the day asks anything of you. That’s the rhythm we pack for.
Our Solomon Islands and Vanuatu cacao comes as a crumble, two tablespoons per cup, ready to spoon and melt. Our Papua New Guinea cacao comes as 15g paste bars, two bars to a cup, no scales needed. Choose the size that suits how often you drink it.
We pack our cacao in serving sizes that make it easy to build into a daily ritual
Prefer to chop your own?
Some of you have been making cacao for years and already have your rhythm. You know your knife, your board and your serve, and you’d rather buy in bulk and do it your way. Our 930g ceremonial grade blocks are for you, and they give you the best value per cup.
Every batch is hand-packed in Christchurch, and because we pack in small batches, we're always in stock.
New to cacao?
Cacao paste is the whole cacao bean, ground and set, with nothing added and nothing taken out. That’s what makes it different from the cocoa powder in your pantry, which has had most of its natural cacao butter pressed out.
It naturally contains magnesium, iron and antioxidants, along with theobromine, a gentle stimulant that tends to arrive slower and last longer than the caffeine in coffee. People drink it as a morning ritual, before creative work, in circle or ceremony, or in place of a second coffee.
You make it with hot water and a whisk, sweeten it to your taste, and drink it warm. If you’re just starting out, our tasting bundle is the easiest way in.
Cacao love notes
From the people who drink it everyday.
"Thank you for supplying such a premium product."
"Fantastic recommendation, heartfelt thanks for enabling me to support the cacao farmers and villagers."
"The beautiful packaging (especially the little flag sticker) made my day."
Pick up and delivery
Drop in, find us at a market, or have it delivered
Drop in to Waltham: We’re open Tuesdays and Fridays, 10am to 4pm. Come in, see the range and take your cacao home the same day, or choose local pickup.
Find us at an event: Sample the origins in person. We bring our cacao to markets and gatherings around Christchurch.
Delivery anywhere in NZ: Order online and we'll courier it to your door.
Where can I buy cacao in Christchurch?
Right here. Energy Crystals stocks pure Pacific-grown cacao, packed locally in Waltham. You can order online for pickup or have it delivered NZ-wide.
Can I drop in and buy cacao in person?
Yes. You'll find us in Waltham on Tuesdays and Fridays from 10am to 4pm. If those days don't suit, order online and choose local pickup or courier.
Is your cacao pure?
Yes. It's 100% cacao — no fillers, no sweeteners, no additives. Nothing in the block that didn't grow on the tree.
Why do you call it ceremonial grade?
It's the name most people use for cacao made for drinking. For us it means pure, whole-bean cacao paste with no sugar, fillers or additives. Cacao ceremony itself comes from the indigenous traditions of Central and South America. Our cacao has its own home in the Pacific, grown by farmers who know it and use it themselves.
What's the difference between cacao and cocoa?
Cocoa powder is what's left once the cacao butter has been pressed out of the bean, and it's often processed further and blended with sugar or milk solids. Cacao paste is the whole bean, butter and all, which is why it melts into a rich, full-bodied drink on its own.
Where does your cacao come from?
Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu, grown by Pacific farmers who are part of a movement to keep cacao knowledge and value in growers' hands.
Does cacao have caffeine?
A little. The main active compound is theobromine, which is in the same family as caffeine but gentler and slower. Most people find a cup of cacao feels steadier than a cup of coffee, though it's still a stimulant, so earlier in the day suits most people best.
How do I prepare it?
Melt your serving into hot water, heat, whisk, and add your sweetener of choice. For our Papua New Guinea bars, two bars make one cup. For our Solomon Islands and Vanuatu crumble, two tablespoons does it. If you're working from a block, chop or grate about 30g per cup. It's that simple.
Is it affordable compared to other cacao?
That's the point. We keep our sizes practical and our prices honest, because we think good cacao should be an everyday thing, not a luxury.
Do you sell cacao in bulk?
Yes. Our 930g blocks are made for people who drink cacao often and are happy to chop their own. Pick one up in Waltham or have it couriered anywhere in New Zealand.
Is cacao suitable for everyone?
Cacao is a stimulant, so if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, have a heart condition, or are unsure how your medications will be affected, check with your health professional first and start with a smaller serve. And keep it well away from dogs, as theobromine is toxic to them.