The Cacao Myth Files: Is Cacao Full of Caffeine?

One of the questions I get asked all the time is:
“Can I drink cacao at night?”
My answer?
Maybe.
Maybe not.

Because there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer. We’re all different. Our bodies are different. Our nervous systems are different. Our tolerance to caffeine is different. And that’s exactly why I believe your relationship with cacao should be your own. Let’s start with the facts. 

Does cacao contain caffeine? 
Yes. Cacao naturally contains caffeine. But probably far less than most people think.

A typical serving of cacao (around 25-30 grams) contains roughly 15-30 mg of caffeine. To put that into perspective:

• Espresso: around 60-80 mg
• Instant coffee: around 60-90 mg
• Black tea: around 40-70 mg
• Green tea: around 20-45 mg
• Cacao: around 15-30 mg

So yes, cacao contains caffeine.
But it’s certainly not “loaded” with it. 

Meet caffeine’s kinder cousin.
While caffeine gets most of the attention, the real star of cacao is theobromine. Think of theobromine as caffeine’s cousin. They’re from the same family of naturally occurring compounds, but they’ve got very different personalities.

Caffeine is the cousin who turns up to the party a little too excited, talks over everyone and insists you stay up until 2 a.m.

Theobromine is the one who brings good food, good conversation and reminds everyone to drink some water before they head home. In other words… it behaves itself.

Scientifically speaking, theobromine generally has a gentler and longer-lasting effect than caffeine. Many people experience it as a steadier kind of alertness, without the sharp spike or crash that coffee can sometimes bring.

That’s one of the reasons cacao feels so different from coffee. It’s got its own personality.

Here’s what I’ve noticed.
After more than two decades of drinking cacao, I’ve realised something about my own body. I love cacao in the evening. I sleep beautifully after it. In fact, I often wake up remembering wonderfully vivid dreams.

Now, I can’t tell you exactly why that happens. Science hasn’t given us all the answers yet. But here’s my personal theory.

Cacao is an incredibly complex food. Alongside small amounts of caffeine and theobromine, it naturally contains minerals such as magnesium and calcium, along with fibre and a wide range of naturally occurring plant compounds.

My feeling is that my body responds to the whole package rather than focusing on one ingredient in isolation.

For me, the overall experience of drinking cacao feels calming, nourishing and deeply grounding. Whatever role the small amount of caffeine plays, it certainly doesn’t stop me from sleeping well. 

Will your experience be the same? Maybe. Maybe not. That’s the interesting part.

So… when’s the best time to drink cacao? 
Whenever your body enjoys it. First thing in the morning. Before you write. Before a walk. Before a date. Before you head out for the evening. Before you dance. Before bed. Or simply because it’s Tuesday.

Some people are highly sensitive to caffeine. Others are more sensitive to theobromine. Some people can enjoy cacao at nine o’clock at night and sleep like a baby. Others discover they’re better off drinking it in the morning. Neither is right. Neither is wrong. It’s simply your body doing what bodies do.

I also have another observation. Again, this is my opinion, based on years of drinking cacao and thousands of conversations with our customers. Many of us live lives that are incredibly stimulating. We’re rushing. Scrolling. Working. Juggling. Responding. Our nervous systems rarely get a moment to exhale.

I’ve often wondered whether that’s one of the reasons so many people describe cacao as grounding. Not because it’s some magical substance, but because it’s inviting us to slow down.

To make something with our hands.
To sit.
To breathe.
To savour.
To reconnect with ourselves. 

Perhaps it’s not just what’s in the cup.
Perhaps it’s everything that happens around the cup. 

Trust yourself. 
One of the things I hope Mamamuti inspires is that we stop outsourcing our relationship with cacao. You don’t need someone on social media to tell you the “right” time to drink it. You don’t need another list of rules.

I’d much rather invite you to get curious. Notice how your body feels. Notice how you sleep. Notice how your mood changes. Notice what works for you.

Think for yourself. Trust yourself. Use a little common sense. Because no influencer, wellness trend or cacao brand knows your body better than you do. 

A final thought 
Cacao isn’t coffee. It isn’t tea. It’s cacao. It has its own unique chemistry, its own rich nutritional profile and its own unique personality. So rather than asking,

“When should I drink cacao?” 
I’d encourage you to ask a different question.

“When does cacao feel best for me?” 
That answer might be first thing in the morning.
It might be after dinner.
It might be before a night out.
It might be before bed.

There isn’t one right answer.
There is only your experience.
And that’s something worth trusting.
Less fear.
More curiosity. 

That’s the Mamamuti way.

With all my heart
Irma
Founder Mamamuti