Our Story
A cat lover's cup of cacao.
Catcao is a small cacao and boba shop in Santa Ana, started by someone who loves two things: cats and a really good cup of cacao.
How Catcao started
As a cat lover and a cacao lover, I wanted to bring the two together. Catcao is the start of that—a new chapter in a journey to bring quality cups of cacao to you.
Coffee and tea can start to feel like the same thing every day. Cacao is a different kind of treat, and we'd love for it to become your new go-to. So let us cats serve you, and bring you a flavor you haven't tried before.
What goes into the cup
Every Catcao drink starts with Vietnamese Trinitario cacao, mixed to our own recipe for the Catcao taste. We chose Trinitario for its bold cacao aroma, gentle bitterness and the deep finish that stays after each sip.
When we mix it, the powder dissolves silky-smooth into a thick, rich cacao base. It tastes clearly of cacao—bitter in a good way—but never harsh on the throat. We keep the sweetness in check so the cacao can lead.
Why Vietnamese Trinitario?
Trinitario is a natural cross between Criollo, known for its aroma, and Forastero, known for its hardiness. In Vietnam, the Central Highlands is the largest cacao region, with cacao grown under coffee, fruit trees and forest canopy; in southern provinces like Ben Tre, it's often planted alongside coconut palms. After harvest, the beans are fermented and dried—the step where cacao's flavor starts to develop.
In 2016, the International Cocoa Organization recognized 40% of Vietnam's cacao exports as fine-flavor cacao. We're proud to bring that Vietnamese bean to cups in Orange County.
General facts about cacao in Vietnam. Sources: Viet Nam News (2016) · VTV (2026) · ICCO · Trinitario
Read: Vietnamese Trinitario cacao
On top, we add a cap of salted cream or egg cream. The cream lifts the cacao to a new note, and it's the part of Catcao we're proudest of.
Where to start
- Sea Salt Cream CacaoSalty cream meets rich cacao. Our first pick for you.
- Egg Cream CacaoSilky, fragrant egg cream over our Milk Cacao. A must-try.
- Cacao TiramisuA tiramisu on top, rich cacao below. Our special for when you want it all.
Why pre-order only?
We're starting small. Pre-orders let us plan each batch and make your drinks for the time you pick, between 9 AM and 6 PM. Every order starts once payment is confirmed and takes about 1 hour.