Liepāja Woman Discovers Cacao Ceremonies — Finally Something Quieter Than Rock Music

Liepāja resident Elīna Neiberga has discovered that cacao isn't just the sweet drink from childhood, but a plant with profound properties. This is almost as surprising as discovering that Liepāja actually has quieter places than the main stage of the "Rock Music" festival.

It all started with grandma's green juice made from dandelions and nettles, which Elīna drank in childhood with about as much enthusiasm as Liepāja residents listen to opening acts before the main concert. Later, when she frequently fell ill with bronchitis, she remembered grandma's wisdom and began seeking more natural healing methods.

During three years of study, Elīna became acquainted with both local medicinal plants and exotic ones. Her understanding of cacao had been as simple as Liepāja weather — powder with milk and sugar. But it turns out ceremonial cacao is much more complex than that.

"Ceremonial cacao is one hundred percent cacao from beans, without other additives," Elīna explains. "It's also important that you can trace its origin — from tree to processing." That's about as meticulous as tracking which band will play at the next "Rock Music" festival.

Local cacao enthusiast Jānis comments: "Well, if cacao can provide both peace and energy, then it's better than coffee at the Central Market. Maybe even better than rock music itself, though that's hard to believe." Elīna says that historically, Mayan and Incan civilizations used cacao, but Liepāja has only discovered it now — better late than never.