Medicine of Cacao

Cacao has been revered for thousands of years as both a sacred food and a powerful plant. In this immersive class, explore the rich history of the cacao plant—from its ceremonial use in ancient Mesoamerican cultures to its place in modern wellness traditions.
Learn the health benefits and medicinal properties of cacao, including its role in supporting mood, cardiovascular health, cognitive function and vitality. Discover how cacao differs from processed chocolate and why traditional preparations preserve its nutritional and therapeutic qualities.

The class includes a cacao tasting using fresh cacao. Discover creative ways to incorporate cacao into everyday life, including nourishing culinary uses, herbal and functional beverage blends and simple cosmetic and skin-care applications
Whether you’re an herbal enthusiast, chocolate lover or simply curious about plant-based wellness, join us and deepen your appreciation for one of the world’s most beloved plants.

Price: $60, $56 member

Location: York Street

Instructor: Blake Burger

Blake first joined Denver Botanic Gardens as a seasonal gardener. After one year, he was hired as a full-time horticulturist. Throughout his years at the Gardens, he has worked with tropical plants, native plants, vegetables and herbs. After receiving his herbalist certification in Denver, Blake immediately began working with the vast array of medicinal plants growing in the Gardens. He founded the Denver Medicinal Plant Society in 2015, created and maintains the medicinal plant beds at the Gardens' York Street location and laid the foundation for the Gardens' Herbalist Certificate Program. As a certified yoga instructor, Blake has led more than 1,000 yoga classes over six years and created a nationally recognized yoga program at the Gardens. Blake believes in a multifaceted approach to health and wellness: eat well, move your body, never stop learning, get outside and connect.