Our Answer to....

A 100% organic, eco-friendly, ethically sourced, blah blah.

But so is everyone else. The point isn’t: to see who can ‘om’ the loudest, or to ‘out morning ritual’ the next guy (or 'health' brand) that comes along.

We just care about the best bits; without the bull. The things that actually matter. This is the answer to what every other cuppa should have been.

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The Origins of Shakao...

Setting the scene

After a few summer's of exploring Australia's remote coastlines including: an unsupported Bass Strait crossing (kayaking the 'Everest of Paddling' in Australia between the Aus-Mainland and TAS whilst stopping to establish rock climbing first ascents on remote island sea cliffs), and a 630km kayaking and climbing trip up the East Coast of Tasmania we started turning out attention towards home and adventures in the mountains.

Summer and Autumn 2023 looked a lot like: pickling from the garden, foraging for wild foods for our pantry and preparing for winter in the VIC Alps. Our love for cooking, creating, and sharing intensified with our connection to home grown and wild harvested ingredients.

Where it all began...

A few words from Stan Meissner (owner/creator)

Things were starting to cool down, it was early Autumn 2023 and I was house and cat sitting at a mates place when I tried a 'cacao and mushroom blend' from another creator. I liked that they intentionally used a few ingredients for 'health benefits' as well as the wholesome-small batch-community sentiment behind their brand.

The flavour was alright and I decided that I wanted to support their little business; especially as they were about to support me in having another warm cuppa option for winter that didn't look like one of the usual suspects: coffee, hot chocolate, chai or tea.

I had a look on their website and almost fell off my chair when I saw the price of a tiny-little-bag. After picking my jaw up off the floor, I took my enthusiasm, curiosity and stubbornness down to Bright Organics, the local organic's store to grab a few ingredients and to see if Kerry and Rod (owner's of Bright Organics) had any ideas to add.

The intention was to create something with a superior range of ingredients with a much more interesting and appealing flavour, that would stand out in the ocean of beverage products currently available. Fortunately we have been able to achieve this in addition to providing the benefits of increased nutritional properties and a competitive price.

Health was the first target, flavour a close second. I grabbed a bunch of ingredients (if you've ever been to Bright Organic's you'll know how inspiring their wall of organic spices is!).

In mind was a chocolatey, spicy, warming, full, oriental/spiced flavour (Mum was a Thai Chef and a lot of that Oriential/spiced influence has come from her in all of my cooking!).

Queue hundred's of versions, new ingredients, changing ingredients, research into nutritional values and a few months of trial and error and out comes Shakao. I'd make it for friends and share it when visiting; it's gradually become a requested item for each visit and adventure!

It was my friends that prompted the thought to share Shakao to more than just our little circle; their feedback and encouragement. Since then a lot of effort has gone into bringing Shakao to life and we wouldn't have it any other way.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to connecting with you at some stage!

Instagram

Our DNA

  • Adventure

    Our approach.

    Variety is the spice of life; capability equals freedom; and curiosity is meant to be explored. After all, what's the point in being 'fit', healthy and capable if you don't use it?

    Choose to be a solver; be ambitious, have a crack. Find the opportunity in adversity, enjoy the excitement of the unknown, and bring those up around you.

    Don't confuse comfort and happiness.

    Get after it.

  • Health

    Our baseline.

    Health defines our lives, but doesn't define our identity.

    It's what we do, and how we live; organic, off-grid, wild-caught, home-grown and home-made. We train, are constantly learning and spend a lot of our time in the sun and nature. We love our friends and family and give back to our community.


    As individuals, and a small business we have no interest in getting into a 'om-ing' contest to justify our enlightened-spiritual-cacao-elixr-morning-ritual-habits.

    Habits for good health are a part of everyday that enables quality of life for you and those around you; it's not the final destination.

    Keep going and define yourself by your actions, achievements and impact.

    Show, don't tell.

  • Community and Integrity

    Our why.

    Integrity is everything in our books. We strongly believe in loyalty and are driven to give back to our community.

    In addition to developing a delicious and nutritious drink, we also like to visualise Shakao as a means to help and empower people to live healthier wholesome and adventurous lives.

    We strive to cater for and assist those who want more than the standard experiences in life, who want to learn to be more self sufficient, healthy and adventurous.

    We are grateful for you guys, our friends, community and those who have supported and guided us along the way.

    Get in touch if there's ways we can help support you, if there's something you think we could be doing better, or you if you'd like to share any ideas. We are all ears!

    Check out our insta and subscribe to emails for tips and events!

Who are we?

Our friends. Our team. Our community.

We are a small business based in Bright Victoria, a little mountain town in the VIC Alps. We share our time between exploring Australia's wild and remote coastline's, playing in the mountains and working on little projects around the Australian Alps. We grow, gather and harvest a lot of our own food, love a good cuppa and conversation, make things, teach, and are always working on something!

What started as a little home-made recipe has turned into a community, daily cuppa, and staple for a lot of our friends, family, facilitators and extended community alike.

Stan Meissner

Owner / Creator

Stan Meissner is an Australian adventurer, guide and fitness coach turned photographer / filmmaker known for his ability to capture high quality images across a multitude of adventure sports in remote high-risk environments.

Driven by curiosity, adventure and a passion for health and self sustainable living; he's found himself in some interesting places, the middle of Bass Strait on a kayak (half way between Tasmania and Mainland Australia), guest speaker and university lecturer, face-to-face with wild dogs, on ESPN's Search4Hurt and setting up a little off grid cabin in the bush.

Today you'll find him anywhere between coaching, guiding, exploring, his little cabin, or sharing stories from adventures through his Adventure Video Series and Photography.

Shakao is a physical expression of all the adventures, lessons (including a lifetime exposure to oriental herbs, spices and flavours), stories and community - all combined.  His goal is to empower and inspire others to live a more adventurous, self sufficient and healthy quality of life.

Shakao is much more than just a product, it's a community, an approach, an opportunity, and a resource.

Check out our social media and blog for more how to's, how we support our community, recipes and other bits n bobs.

Stan's Instagram
1 5

What is Shakao?

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Based on 28 reviews
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Shakao - Travel Pack - 10 Servings
samuel W.
Delicious

I love Shakao for an afternoon pick me up, and avoiding a second cup of coffee. It’s so warming and energizing plus delicious! Also love it with coconut milk and ice on a hot day ❤️

Shakao - Travel Pack - 10 Servings
J
Shakao - Family Pack - 70 Servings (Online Only)
James M.

Love shakoa. Have it every morning and have been feeling great ever since. Plus it tastes awesome.

Shakao - Family Pack - 70 Servings (Online Only)
K
Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
Kerrod C.
The stuff of gold

Shakao has provided such a great intake in the morning ritual where it provides me with ongoing energy for the day and keeps my mind focused on the day ahead. Give it a go and enjoy it with some hot chocolate or Milo

Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
R
Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
Racheal L.
Best cacao I have ever had

I discovered Shakao for the first time during a sound healing ceremony, and it was truly delightful. The cacao is complemented by a unique blend of herbs, making it beneficial for my health and a truly special experience.

Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
J
Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
Jackson G.
Simply the best.

Shakao is unreal. When my immune system feels compromised I’ll have a shakao with honey and it kicks me back into gear. It has helped me reduce the amount of coffees I consume in a day which began to get out of hand. Love it. Well done Stan.

Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
J
Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
Jane K.
Shakao hot chocolate

I love this blend of cacao and spices. The flavour is very good.

Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
H
Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
Harley C.
Love the taste - was just what I was after

I picked up a pack of this from Zilky, and after a few weeks my partner and I have almost finished the bag. Be warned, this is awesome stuff, very easy to overdo it :-)

Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
e
Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
esther f.
Delicious

Really enjoying it with a nice spoon of honey thank you 😊

Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
D
Shakao - Family Pack - 70 Servings (Online Only)
Deb J.
Now a friend of the family

What a coincidence. With a fresh Shakao cuppa in hand and checking my emails…. And there you are
I was contemplating if I reorder this week or next! Half of my first order was also my brothers. I sold half of my bag to friends who are thinking of adding it to their cafe cuppas, also have given some samples to others this has my stock running low.
My favourite Shakao is hot or cold and sometimes with extra ceremonial cacao (which I happen to have in my pantry) and maple syrup
Thank you Stan for your helpful responses while awaiting fit my order to arrive….1 days wait hehe

Now I have 2 favourite drinks

Shakao - Family Pack - 70 Servings (Online Only)
J
Shakao - Travel Pack - 10 Servings
J.M.
Awesome!

I’ve been loving the shakoa. Have it every morning. Been feeling great too.

Shakao - Travel Pack - 10 Servings
M
Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings
Momar H.
Exhilarating!!

Shakao is an adventure for the senses. The flavours are beautifully balanced, it's got the fun of a hot chocolate, the mellow comfort of a masala chai, and then the adrenaline of the cayenne pepper that wakes you right up! I love it! I'm so happy with my purchase, my shakao has immediately taken a prominent position in my large cupboard of teas and drinks from around the world.

Shakao - Expedition Pack - 35 Servings