The traditional cacao mugs or serving vessels are called Jicaras.

The jicara is a hard shell fruit that has been used for hundreds of years to make kitchen utensils and decorative items and used to serve hot food in order to preserve its temperature. 

Jicaras

Jicara, is a cup or bowl made from fruit of the Calabash tree.

The calabash fruit grows on a tree known in Mexico as the higuera but its botanical name is Crescentia cujete.

Jicaras are hollowed out, halved pieces of fruits from the tree. 

They come in different sizes, and many are about 2 – 3 inches in diameter and about 1-2 inches deep.

Mayan people found many uses for the calabash and modern Mexicans still use them in much the same way. In addition to jícara bowls and cups, the calabash shell is used for musical instruments, and the pulp is sometimes made into a medicinal drink for flu and colds.

The use of jicaras dates back thousands of years and has had many uses including serving of cacao and consumption of different beverages.