Ancient + Brave Cacao + Reishi 250g Tub - High Grade Nutritious Raw Cacao, Reishi Mushroom, Baobab and Chicory - Smooth Chocolate Blend - Stress Reducing

The packaging is interesting, right up to the point where you realise that the cardboard lid is all there is to keep the powder dry and protect against the enemy of all powered foods in kitchens, humidity.Sorry it's not a good enough fit to be even close to airtight and that's what it needs not an utterly ineffectual plastic bag folded over, NOT SEALED, JUST FOLDED OVER! with a sticker on it that didn't stick.Nor is putting a silica gel packet in the powder going to do the job, little hint folks, by the time the silica gel packet you put in the powder starts to absorb moisture it's already done the damage, it may work fine for electronics but food doesn't work that way.We tried it twice but the way the powder was clumping on the spoon and failing to break up properly when mixed, combined with the musty smell which may or may not be perfectly natural for it was too much for a third try and it hit the bottom of the bin.The first cup was pleasant enough, a rather odd flavour and a little bitter but not in a nasty way.It's nothing at all like hot chocolate and quite honestly it didn't leave me feeling relaxed or ready to sleep but it was nice in its way.The relaxing effect was even less pronounced with the second try as the aroma on opening the pot just didn't seem right.I think it could be a good product but if they want to get people to try and moreover trust a new drink like this, especially one which has mushroom products in it and has such an unusual aroma to it I think they need to move away from the fancy packaging that frankly isn't going to do the job and perhaps try something people are going to trust.Asking people to accept a poorly sealed product with silica gel packets mixed into it, a toxic substance I hasten to add, that's kept away from the the powder only by a layer of paper is more than most people are going to accept.It's a shame, I was looking forward to giving something new a try for a few weeks but poorly packaged foodstuffs aren't high on my list of things to try too often.It gets three stars for the first cup being quite nice and a bit different, but it need a rethink.

Beautiful packaging great marketing. But, to me it tasted absolutely vile. So disappointed because I got this as a treat and it is expensive. If is sold on the premise of a warm delicious ritual to wind down af the end of the day with restorative properties. However it is so incredibly bitter that it is undrinkable. I have tried half strength and extra milk, also sweeeters but it is still absolutely awful. It may be my tastebuds but buyers beware on this one. It is a shame as other products I have tried from this company are excellent.

I like that this is subtly flavoured so easily disguised in coffee or other drinks. A good way to nourish and invigorate. Good quality product and definitely feel the effects already. Good amount and the jar looks high end.

I bought this to drink in the evening before bed. I have been really enjoying it and feel it helps me relax and get to sleep.It has a bit of a bitter taste, which I don’t mind. It would be easy enough to add honey or sweetener if that bothered you.The only moan I have is that the powder never completely combines with the liquid and so there is always some wasted at the bottom of the mug.

...sadly, a pity about the execution.Supplied in the usual Amazon padded shipping box, first impressions of this Ancient + Brave offering are quite positive: the cylindrical slip-sleeve cardboard box is beautifully designed, in a suitable pale cacao / mushroom shade with gold and white print in an attractive design presumably intended to evoke the origins of both the cacao and reishi mushroom powder contents. So far, so good. The general company branding of 'wellness' products is also well-realised, and gives a reassuring impression.Alas, reassuring impressions don't count for much on opening the cardboard tube to discover the inner packaging (a not-particularly well designed plastic bag) has not been properly sealed in production and the powder contents are more in the tube than the bag. Granted, the tube has a metallic seal over the top, and is lined; unfortunately, it didn't seem to have helped in my case because parts of the powder were damp, and the scent suggested something was off -it wasn't what a powdered drink of this kind should smell like. So unfortunately, I haven't been able to try it, because I didn't fancy taking the risk: the contents were immediately binned and the packaging recycled. A shame, because having had products from this company before, they have always been good: this was clearly a one-off incident, given how tightly controlled production processes and shipping have to be, so I wouldn't let that put you off: the actual quality of the ingredients listed is excellent and while not cheap, you get a reasonable quantity for what it is. Worth consideration, even if I had a stray example.

I hated the smell and taste, it didn't taste remotely like chocolate, I made it with water and warm milk as instructions, and it didn't have the desired effect of giving me good night's sleep. All in all a waste of my money as it went in the bin!! Shame as it's presentation was very nice but definitely not good value for the money.