Brewing Guide

We want your first (and every) brew at home to be successful. Follow the steps and the tutorials below to prepare your cacao with best results.

If something goes awry or your cacao doesn’t taste right, we want to hear from you! Reach out to us at hello@kakaoraya.com or via Instagram.

Tips for Success

  • Always use a mesh filter.

  • Cacao stands on its own, but for a decadent brew, we love a plant-based creamer.

The French Press

1:18 ratio preparation

Fabulous for quick, hands-off gatherings and impressing all your friends at your next dinner party.

Instructions:

  1. Add 50 grams of cacao (1/2 cup) to the bottom of a French press. Add 800 grams of boiling water (3.5 cups) or fill to the top of your french press.

  2. Stir.

  3. Wait 4-6 minutes.

  4. Stir.

  5. Depress.

  6. Serve!

Video instructions here.

The Dripper

1:16 ratio preparation

Our favorite for quick, single-serving brews.

Instructions:

  1. Add 18 g of cacao (2-3 tbsp) to the mesh filter set inside a carafe.

  2. Boil 225g of water (1 - 1.5 cups), preferably in a goose neck kettle, but any kettle or pot that will allow you to control the flow of water will do.

  3. Pour boiling water into the center of the cacao in the filter, slowly radiating out.

  4. Wait one minute as it percolates through. Stir and scrape down the filter with a spoon, if needed.

  5. Pour again. ensuring water only touches the cacao grounds and doesn’t seep through the filter outside the grounds.

  6. Continue pouring over the grinds until your 8oz, single-serving mug is full.

  7. Serve!

Video instructions here.

The Carafe

1:16 ratio preparation

Best for tastings, best to share.

Instructions:

  1. Add 50 g of cacao (1/2 cup) to the mesh filter set inside a carafe.

  2. Boil 800 - 900 g of water (3.5 - 4 cups), preferably in a goose neck kettle, but any kettle or pot that will allow you to control the flow of water will do.

  3. Pour boiling water into the center of the cacao in the filter, slowly radiating out.

  4. Wait one minute as it percolates through. Stir and scrape down the filter with a spoon, if needed.

  5. Pour again to the top of the filter.

  6. Wait one minute. Stir and scrape down the filter with a spoon, if needed. Cacao is rich in cocoa butter, which percolates much more slowly through the filter than coffee.

  7. Recall that patience is a virtue. And leads to a great brew.

  8. Once you've reached the top of your carafe with brewed cacao, serve!

Video instructions here.