Most people think of herbal teas as caffeine-free, but there are a few notable exceptions. guayusa teaor alone guayusa (also written wayusa) is among these exceptions; is a naturally caffeinated herbal tea made from the plant ilex guayusa, a species of holly native to South America. Guayusa is actually closely related to another plant used to create another caffeinated herbal tea, Ilex paraguariensisor yerba mate.
Where does guayusa come from?
Guayusa originates from a specific region of the Amazon rainforest, in a section of forest located primarily in Ecuador, but also extending into Colombia and Peru. The drink has a long history of consumption among the indigenous people of this region, dating back to at least 500 AD. C. and possibly before.
In modern times, most of the guayusa production is in Ecuador. Production of this herb can take place in natural, intact forested areas, as a wild crop, or as sustainable forest farming, in contrast to the bulk plantations of Western-style agriculture used to produce most coffee. and the tea. In some respects, this makes guayusa more sustainable and ecological, in the same way that shade-grown coffee is better at protecting the environment.
How is guayusa made into a drink?
The production of guayusa is similar to that of yerba mate, and to some extent similar to that of the tea plant and other tisanes. The leaves are collected, withered and dried. Most of the guayusa is harvested by farmers
In terms of making your own cup or pot of guayusa tea, it can be done the same way you would tea or other herbal teas. Guayusa is available in both tea bags and loose leaf form. If using the loose leaf form, you will need a strainer or tea infuser as there may be small pieces of leaf that need to be strained. If using a tea bag, simply brew as you would a regular cup of tea. Although it may seem less convenient, it’s better to use loose leaf instead of tea bags, both for superior taste and because with tea bags you pay for the packaging rather than the product itself.
Where can I buy guayusa?
Guayusa is not well known outside of the countries in which it is produced, and consequently it is not widely available in the United States. However, there is a company that specializes exclusively in guayusa and offers pure and flavored blends, which is guayusa rune. the tea company hidden tea it also sells loose-leaf guayusa, available through its website. The company Sunfoods, which specializes in organic raw foods, also sells guayusa. The brand ayni food also sells guayusa. There are a few other vendors that sell the herb in bulk, but the ones listed here are the ones best known for selling to consumers.
Is guayusa healthy?
Unfortunately, there have been very few studies on the health effects of guayusa specifically. However, as it is related to yerba mate, it seems likely that its health effects are similar to those of yerba mate. However, mate itself also has a lot of uncertainty about its potential health benefits. That said, with a long history of traditional use, this beverage is likely safe in moderate amounts.
That said, some companies tout the “health benefits” of guayusa as a way to market their product. It is best to view these claims with skepticism. In the absence of citing specific studies or documentation of traditional use, these claims are best ignored. Guayusa is a natural drink and probably a lot healthier than a number of things, like soda, but in the end it’s mostly a drink. Drink it if you like its taste and how you feel after drinking it.
In summary:
Guayusa is a little-known plant that is used to produce a naturally caffeinated beverage, somewhat similar to yerba mate and different from tea and coffee. Guayusa is not widely available in the United States, but is becoming more and more readily available online from a variety of companies.