Whether you're adding it to your coffee or brewing it solo, Grateful Ape Cacao Brew is about to change the way you start your day.
There's a reason the ancient Maya and Aztecs treated cacao like liquid gold. Long before coffee dominated the morning routine, cacao was the drink of kings — energizing, mood-lifting, and deeply nourishing. Fast forward a few thousand years, and we've brought that ritual back in the most delicious way possible.
Grateful Ape Cacao Brew is made from single-origin cacao beans, hand-harvested in Ecuador and small-batch roasted right here in Salt Lake City. The result? A rich, chocolatey brew packed with antioxidants, theobromine for smooth energy, and flavonoids that your brain and body will thank you for.
The best part? It's incredibly easy to brew — and you've got options.
☕ Method 1: Add It to Your Coffee (The Upgrade)
This is our favorite way to enjoy Cacao Brew, and honestly it might ruin plain coffee for you forever. Think of it like adding collagen or a creamer to your morning cup — except instead of just flavor, you're layering in serious health benefits.
What you need:
- Your regular coffee grounds
- Grateful Ape Cacao Brew
- French press or drip coffee maker
- Hot water (195–205°F)
How to brew:
Step 1 — Mix your grounds. Combine 1–2 tablespoons of Cacao Brew with your regular coffee grounds before brewing. Start with a 1:3 ratio (one part cacao to three parts coffee) and adjust to taste.
Step 2 — Brew as normal. Use your French press or drip machine exactly as you would for a regular pot of coffee. The cacao grounds brew right alongside your coffee beans.
Step 3 — Pour and enjoy. What you'll taste is a richer, deeper, more complex cup — bold coffee flavor with a smooth dark chocolate undertone and absolutely zero bitterness. No jitters. No crash. Just pure upgraded morning magic.
Pro tip: Add a splash of milk of your choosing or a drizzle of honey to bring out the chocolate notes even more.
🍫 Method 2: Brew It Solo (The Ancient Ritual)
Want to go caffeine-free but still want a rich, satisfying morning drink? Brewing Cacao Brew on its own gives you a deeply flavorful cup that feels indulgent without the guilt — or the caffeine spike.
What you need:
- Grateful Ape Cacao Brew
- French press (recommended)
- Hot water (195–205°F)
- Optional: cinnamon, honey, milk of your choosing, or coconut oil
How to brew in a French press:
Step 1 — Add your grounds. Use 2–3 tablespoons of Cacao Brew per 8 oz of water. Because cacao is denser than coffee, you'll want a slightly higher ratio for a full-bodied cup.
Step 2 — Add hot water. Pour hot water (just off the boil) over the grounds and give it a gentle stir to make sure everything is fully saturated.
Step 3 — Steep for 5–7 minutes. This is longer than coffee — cacao needs a little more time to release its full flavor and nutrients. The longer you steep, the richer and more intense the flavor.
Step 4 — Press and pour. Slowly press the plunger down and pour into your favorite mug.
Step 5 — Customize it. This is where the fun begins. Try it:
- Plain and black for the purest cacao experience
- With a pinch of cinnamon and cayenne for a Mayan-style spiced cacao
- With oat milk and a drizzle of honey for a creamy mocha vibe
- With a tablespoon of coconut oil for extra richness and healthy fats
🔥 Can I Brew It in a Drip Coffee Maker?
Yes — with one important note. Use a gold tone or reusable mesh filter instead of a paper filter. Paper filters are too fine and will slow the brew dramatically or clog completely. A mesh filter lets the cacao brew freely and gives you the best results.
What Does It Taste Like?
Brewing Cacao solo tastes like a warm, rich cup of dark chocolate — earthy, slightly fruity, and naturally smooth with no added sugar. It's nothing like a hot cocoa mix. It's far more complex, more nuanced, and honestly more satisfying.
Mixed with coffee it tastes like a natural mocha — the kind you'd pay $7 for at a specialty café, except you made it at home in under 10 minutes with ingredients that are actually good for you.
Why Grateful Ape Cacao Brew?
Not all cacao is created equal. We use single-origin Nacional (Arriba) cacao from Ecuador — the same rare, fine-flavor variety found in the world's most prestigious chocolate bars. It's hand-harvested by small family farms and small-batch roasted in Salt Lake City to preserve every bit of flavor and nutrition.
The result is a cacao brew that doesn't just taste better — it is better. More antioxidants. More flavor. More ritual.
Ready to Upgrade Your Morning?
Your coffee is good. With Grateful Ape Cacao Brew, it becomes extraordinary.
Have a brewing method we didn't cover? Tag us on Instagram @the_grateful_ape and show us how you brew yours. 🦍☕