"In the modern world, cacao is confused with chocolate — a treat. But real cacao is much more: a sacred plant, carrying millennia-old traditions of indigenous peoples of Central and South America."
Founded on the principles of animism — the idea that all things, including the plant world, possess a spirit — our brand is committed to honoring cacao in its purest form, with respect for its history, origin and the traditions around it.
The Arhuaco of the Sierra Nevada
The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, in Colombia, is one of the most biodiverse regions on the planet. This is where the Arhuaco live — the Hermanos Mayores, the 'Elder Brothers' — ancestral guardians of the world's balance. Among the first indigenous peoples to suffer colonization, they survived by retreating to the heights of the Sierra, jealously preserving their knowledge.
Cacao has long held an important place in several traditions across the Americas. Our current cacao comes from this region, and we aim to offer it with respect by valuing its origin, producers’ know-how and a more transparent relationship with the supply chain.
An ancestral food in the modern world
Cacao naturally contains theobromine, flavanols, minerals and cacao butter. Kept in a pure, minimally processed form, it offers a simple way to rediscover the full richness of the bean.
Animistā creates a bridge between cacao’s long history and contemporary use: a drink, an everyday ritual and a moment each person can make their own.
A Mission Founded on Integrity
Origin & traceability
We favor cacao with an identifiable origin, terroir and supply chain, keeping a clear connection to the source.
Ethical sourcing
We favor partners and supply chains that value producers’ work, transparency and a more direct relationship with origin.
Respect for Traditions
We choose cacao grown and processed as traditionally as possible, to preserve its integrity, natural richness and respect for the accompanying expertise.
Education & Awareness
Our mission goes beyond selling cacao. We want to share cacao as an ancestral superfood, its history and simple ways to make it part of everyday life.
Jonathan Joly
A passionate traveler of Latin America, Jonathan journeyed across the continent from Colombia to Costa Rica — immersed in cultures whose relationship with life, plants and the sacred profoundly transformed his worldview.
Back in Quebec, he founded Animistā with a simple conviction: the ancestral wisdom of Latin America has something essential to offer the modern world. Ceremonial cacao became that bridge — between two continents, two ways of being, two intelligences of body and spirit.
Every Cup is an Act of Awareness
By choosing Animistā, you support an approach that values origin, producers’ work and respect for cacao traditions.