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Guayusa

Guayusa is not related to the camellia sinensis (tea) plant. It is one of three caffeinated holly trees that exist in the world, and is a distant cousin of Yerba Maté. Guayusa leaves have a smooth ribbed edge, similar to the distinctive shape of a holly tree leaf (but without the spikes). Very large in size, guayusa leaves can reach over 15 cm in length.

In addition to caffeine, guayusa also contains theobromine, the stimulant found in chocolate, and L-theanine found in green tea that has been shown to reduce physical and mental stress. The caffeine content in guayusa is around 3% by dry weight, and guayusa contains all of the essential amino acids for humans and has a “high antioxidant activity,” with ORAC antioxidant values of 58μM per gram, compared to 28-29μM per gram for most green teas.
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Thumbnail of Peppermint Guayusa | Organic
The energizing power of guayusa with a crisp and rejuvenating organic peppermint. With more caffeine and double the antioxidants of any tea, guayusa offers clear, focused energy.
Thumbnail of Guayusa Spice
An Amazonian blend of energizing guayusa with full-bodied cinnamon and aromatic lemongrass. With more caffeine and double the antioxidants of any tea, guayusa offers clear, focused energy.
Thumbnail of Ginger Citrus Guayusa | Organic
A zesty guayusa blend that wakes you up with an invigorating twist of ginger and citrus. With more caffeine and double the antioxidants of any tea, guayusa offers clear, focused energy.
Thumbnail of Guayusa Leaf | Organic
It s an energetic leaf exclusively from the Ecuadorian amazon rainforest. It has been used for centuries by indigenous people from the zone as a natural energy source. It´s natural and has great flavor, it naturally contains caffeine and it s filled with antioxidants.
Thumbnail of Guayusa Chai | Organic
It’s an energetic leaf exclusively from the Ecuadorian amazon rainforest. It has been used for centuries by indigenous people from the zone as a natural energy source. It´s natural and has great flavor, it naturally contains caffeine and it’s filled with antioxidants.

It’s different to common guayusa found in the market because it’s green, powerful, and has a premium flavor, lighter that the common Guayusa tea without leaving bitterness in your mouth.

Thumbnail of Mate Fire Gourd
Mate is traditionally prepared in a hollowed calabash gourd known as a mate or guampa. The gourd is packed anywhere from 1/2 to 2/3 full of leaf and then filled with hot, but not boiled water (160 - 180°F). Next, a stylized silver straw tipped with a built in strainer, the bombilla, is inserted into the gourd.

The traditional way to drink Yerba Mate is fun and engaging group activity. The Cebador (server) fills the gourd and drinks the mate completely with a Bombilla (straw) to ensure that it is free of small particles and that it is of good quality. The server subsequently refills the gourd and passes it to the next drinker who likewise drinks it all. The ritual proceeds around the circle until the mate becomes lavado (washed out), typically after the gourd has been filled about eight to ten times.

Each gourd will vary in look, shape, height and diameter as this is a product manufactured from nature.
Thumbnail of Steel Bombilla
Ideal for Yerba drinkers who prefer small leaf Yerba's as their choice.
Thumbnail of Cane Bombilla
A traditional bombilla made from cane wood. The bottom has holes to filter out the guayusa or mate from the traditional gourd cup.
Thumbnail of Guayusa Passion | Organic
Cool, refreshing and caffeinated best describe this blend of fruit medley and green guayusa. Enjoy it hot or chilled as a great afternoon pick-me-up.
Guayusa trees can reach a height of over 50 feet and live to be over 100 years old. They tend to produce lots of small trunks on one bush, and therefore are full of leaves (perfect for harvesting).

While guayusa is endemic to the Upper Amazon regions of Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia, it is estimated that over 98% of the guayusa trees in the world are located in Ecuador.

Interestingly, guayusa does not produce fertile seeds. This unique botanical characteristic demonstrates the intricate role that guayusa has played with human development in the Amazon. Botanists believe that after being propagated asexually for hundreds of years, guayusa lost it’s ability to produce fertile seeds. Just as we depend on it for a health source of energy, it depends on us to keep growing.

Did you know that caffeine serves as a natural insect repellent? Botanists believe that plants first produced caffeine in order to give insects an unpleasant jolt to their nervous system when they eat a plant’s leaves. We strange creatures find it pleasant.