Artisanal ceremonial cacao from Guatamala
Pure & organic || 100% Mayan owned || Indigenous women’s collective
Ruk’u’x Ulew cacao in the Netherlands.
Cacao is a mild, loving plant medicine, supporting us to listen to the inner voice of our heart. Connecting us to nature and all that is.
This organic cacao is grown on small indigenous family farms in Alta Verapaz, Guatemala. Each bean is fermented, sun-dried, lightly roasted over an open fire and peeled by hand by the Ruku women in San Marcos La Laguna.
Ruk’u’x Ulew is a 100% Mayan owned, all indigenous women’s collective, producing artisanal Guatemalan grown ceremonial cacao.
As their official Dutch ambassador, The Morning is a trusted distributor of Ruku’x’ Ulew artisanal cacao in the Netherlands and across Europe. By choosing our premium cacao, you directly support indigenous families, sustain their cultural traditions, and contribute to the preservation of their artisanal craft. Experience the rich heritage and flavor of authentic Ruku’x’ Ulew cacao with every purchase.
Women’s collective
Ruk’u’x Ulew was founded in 2016 by Cecilia Mendoza Chiyal, an indigenous Mayan mother of three, born and raised in San Marcos La Laguna, Lake Atitlán, Guatemala.
Cecilia once ran a small cafe in her village and many local women would come and ask her for work. She was troubled by not being able to help all these women with employment, so she would pray to God and sit with the fire spirit and ask: “What path shall i take? What sort business can I do to give enough work to so many women?”
Cecilia would prepare her own traditional cacao drink for her family every Christmas and Easter using the highest quality cacao beans, sourced from an organic family farm in Alta-Verapaz. She often received compliments on her delicious cacao. This gave Cecilia the courage to ask a few of the busy cafes in her village if they would be interested in selling her blocks of cacao. They agreed and sold out quickly. The customers reaction to her cacao was overwhelmingly positive.
Meet the Founders
In 2012, Edwin (Chef & Founder) started The Morning with the intention to cultivate human connection, celebrating life and supporting people in remembering where our food comes from. He took his experience as a professional chef in various Michelinstar restaurants to The Morning, where he celebrate the origin of our food. Over the past decade or so he brought thousands of people together at the table.
In 2020 Chantalle and Edwin started The Morning Circle together, in which we turn our gaze even more inwards in ceremony. To experience a deeper connection with yourself, nature, each other and All-that-is.
As ambassadors of the Maya women's collective Ruk'u'x Ulew from Guatemala since 2019, we work with the plant medicine cacao in our circles, among other things. With her extensive experience in music, sound, singing, teaching meditation and yoga, Chantalle lovingly guides the circles.