The food of the gods is calling

cacao, skincare & corridos intergalácticos

Author

Rocio L
July 19, 2025

In collaboration with skin by Corrinne

!Holii! 👋🏽

Since the last dispatch, I’ve had a full few weeks playing tour guide for my nephew in CDMX—and now I’m writing to you from the tiny, remote AF village in Durango where I grew up.

In today’s edition, I’m sharing the origin story of cacao: its sacred roots in Mesoamerica, how it became a global obsession (thank you, colonization), and why it’s still used today in heart-opening rituals and many other formats.

And don’t worry—next edition we’ll dive into the anti-gentrification protests that have been popping up around the city. Stay tuned, and help this newsletter grow by sharing it with a friend.

But now, onto cacao.

– Rocio
Founder, Life of Leisure 
Writer, Mexico News Daily 

TOP STORY

Cacao: Ancient Medicine for the Heart and Body

Before it became a sweet treat, cacao was a sacred, bitter drink with deep roots in Mesoamerica—used for ceremony, healing, and even currency.

Let’s go back.

Cacao is native to this region, especially what’s now southern Mexico, and it played a central role in the lives of the Olmecs, Mayans, and Aztecs. These civilizations prepared cacao as a spiced drink, mixing ground cacao beans with water, chiles, and sometimes maize. It wasn’t sweet. Instead, it was earthy, energizing, and deeply revered.

Among the Aztecs, cacao beans were so valuable they were used as currency. A single bean could buy you a tamal, while a small handful might get you a night in an inn. But cacao was more than just money. It was sacred. Reserved for rituals, offerings, and warriors preparing for battle, it was considered a divine gift—something to be consumed with intention.

When the Spanish arrived, they brought cacao back to Europe. Over time, sugar, cinnamon, and eventually milk were added, transforming it into what we now recognize as modern-day chocolate. It’s one of Mexico’s many culinary legacies to the world, alongside vanilla, corn, tomatoes, and chiles.

What about now?

Today, cacao is being rediscovered both for its cultural roots and its health benefits. Pure ceremonial cacao is minimally processed, unsweetened, and rich in nutrients. It contains theobromine, a mild stimulant that boosts circulation and focus without the crash of caffeine. It’s also high in magnesium, antioxidants, and compounds that support serotonin and endorphin production. In other words, it’s good for both mood and body.

Cacao is sometimes consumed in modern ceremonies that blend Indigenous tradition with contemporary mindfulness practices. These sessions often involve intention-setting, music, and group reflection. But you don’t need a ceremony to enjoy the benefits. Drinking pure cacao can simply be a way to slow down and reconnect—with yourself, your senses, or the moment.

A personal note.

I’m a big fan of cacao. I’ve attended ceremonies and guided sessions, but I also enjoy making it at home. Sometimes that means roasting and grinding the beans myself, and other times it’s as simple as mixing ceremonial cacao with hot water and warming spices like cinnamon or vanilla. However you prepare it, it’s a drink that encourages presence—and that’s always worth making time for.

If you’re curious to experience it in a relaxed, nourishing way, I’m co-hosting a women’s skincare workshop next month that incorporates cacao both inside and out. It’s a chance to reset, connect, and take care—of your skin, your heart, and yourself. Details below. 💛

IN COLLABORATION WITH

Join Corrinne on skin Rhythm, her Substack where she shares soulful skincare stories, pro tips, and lifestyle inspiration rooted in care, not perfection.

😡 Why are protesters in Mexico City angry at remote workers?

💥 Mexico’s president calls march against gentrification & mass tourism ‘xenophobic’

🏢 Mexico City unveils plan to tackle gentrification after mass protests

⚽ Eva Longoria’s docuseries on Club Necaxa is set to premiere in early August

FEATURED EVENT

Nourish & Restore: A Cacao-Infused Skincare Workshop 🧖🏽‍♀️
The CDMX summer has been chaotic — rainy one day, blazing hot the next. If you're feeling off, this women’s workshop is the reset you didn’t know you needed.

Join us for an afternoon of intentional skincare, heart-opening cacao, and community.

🗓️ Sunday, Aug 3 | 1–3PM | Juárez
🎟️ 660 MX / 35 US | Only 10 spots

CULTURE & HAPPENINGS
DID YOU KNOW?

Mexican cuisine is UNESCO-recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, one of the few food traditions in the world with that honor. It’s not just about flavor; it’s about history, identity, and generations of cultural knowledge wrapped into every tamal and spoonful of mole. No wonder I turned into such a snob while traveling South America a few years ago—nothing hit quite like the flavor and variety of Mexican food.

ODE TO MEXICO

I recently took my nephew to see the Ballet Folklórico at the stunning Palacio de Bellas Artes, and left beaming with pride to be Mexican. From the powerful opening honoring Indigenous roots to the vibrant tributes to regional dances from Veracruz, Jalisco, and beyond — the show is a breathtaking celebration of Mexico’s rich history and cultural traditions. It’s an absolute must if you haven’t been.

VIRAL VAULT

Why CDMX IYKYK?
Because staying in the know shouldn’t require 12 tabs, 5 group chats, and a rabbit hole of IG accounts. I created this newsletter to help fellow expats, digital nomads, and the Mexican diaspora feel more connected to life in Mexico — not just the highlights, but the context behind them too.

Whether you’re in Mexico City for a few months or forever, I hope this space helps you navigate, appreciate, and engage more deeply with this city we’re lucky to call home.

🧠 Got an event, tip, or cultural gem to share? Just hit reply or DM me.

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