Casa Velas, located on the Marina Vallarta golf course in Puerto Vallarta, now offers “From Origin to Ritual: The Cacao Workshop.” This signature workshop celebrates cacao’s sacred place in Mexican heritage, honoring an ingredient that has been treasured for over 3,000 years by ancient civilizations. Once considered “the food of the gods” and used as currency, ceremonial offerings, and ritual beverages, cacao held profound spiritual and economic significance in Mesoamerican culture. The workshop combines these ancestral traditions with contemporary culinary artistry in a multi-sensory cultural journey designed for discerning travelers seeking authentic cultural connections.
The experience begins in Casa Velas’ Botanical Garden, where guests are greeted with traditional pre-Hispanic dances performed in honor of cacao. This powerful ceremonial opening sets the tone for the journey ahead, honoring the spiritual significance that cacao has held in Mesoamerican cultures for millennia. Participants then move to the resort’s greenhouse for an intimate exploration of cacao’s fascinating history and cultural importance. Through guided storytelling, guests discover how this treasured ingredient shaped ancient Mexican civilizations and continues to be woven into the country’s cultural fabric today. The educational portion flows seamlessly into a curated tasting experience, where participants sample the three primary cacao varieties—Criollo, Forastero, and Trinitario—each offering distinct flavor characteristics. Guests then explore a selection of artisanal chocolates including Añejo, featuring banana hambé and centenario rum; Intenso, with red berries tea and blackcurrant ganache; Frida, showcasing Ceylon cinnamon ganache; and Esmeralda, highlighting coconut and lime ganache. Each creation reflects the diverse flavor profiles and regional traditions of Mexican cacao production.
The workshop concludes with a progressive beverage tasting that bridges past and present. Guests begin with traditional cacao preparations that honor minimalist, time-honored recipes, before the experience evolves into an elevated mixology class. Here, participants learn to craft a contemporary cacao cocktail featuring gin, RumChata, cinnamon, ginger, and grated chocolate—a sophisticated reinterpretation that demonstrates cacao’s versatility in modern gastronomy.
To complement the workshop, guests may add the Renewing Chocolate Massage, an 80-minute spa treatment that harnesses chocolate’s mood-boosting properties. Rich in endorphin-releasing compounds, this nourishing treatment leaves both face and body with exceptional texture and renewed vitality.
