Tisane Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Runa

Tisane Description:

Known for its stimulating effects, indigenous hunters drink guayusa to sharpen their instincts. They call it the “Night Watchman” because it helps them stay awake and alert all night.

Learn more about this tisane here.

Taster’s Review:

This is the second tea/tisane that I’ve tried from the April Steepster Select box – themed “New Frontiers” – and while I did express my disappointment previously with this box, I have to admit that I am enjoying this Guayusa.  It is nothing spectacular, but, it is enjoyable.

Since I previously reviewed Traditional Guayusa from Runa, and really, the only big difference between this cup of Guayusa and the one that I’ve already reviewed is that the previous cup was prepared with a sachet of Guayusa, while this is loose leaf.  Since it’s been almost a year since I had that cup, though, I can’t really tell you if the cups are significantly different, and in what ways they differ.

What I can say, though, is that this is a tasty cup of Guayusa – rich, flavorful, and it has a very energetic quality to it that I’d expect from Guayusa.  It tastes a bit like a slightly thin cup of coffee, but without the bitterness.  It’s very smooth.

So, instead of going into depth about this tisane again, I thought I’d share with you the information on the New Frontiers theme card.  I always enjoy these writings from the minds at Steepster:

Classical tea drinkers hold fast to the idea that “tea” only includes leaves from the camellia sinensis plant.  Our vision of tea encompasses a wide variety of non-camellia sinensis plants – better known as tisanes – prepared, consumed and enjoyed in the same way as traditional tea.

So we venture forward, tastebuds first, to explore the ever expanding tea world. 

Our quest introduces us to new lands and new species, but unlike previous explorers who feared the precipice at the end of the earth, we know our voyage will bring us full circle, back home and enriched with a deeper love for our favorite drink.

Raise the anchor!  Hoist the sail!  Join us as we set forth to explore these unique teas from non-traditional homes.

When I first opened the box and saw that it included two unflavored tisanes, I was very surprised and as I mentioned, disappointed.  But, I do understand the inspiration behind these choices after reading the theme card.  And while I do understand … it doesn’t keep me from hoping that next month’s theme will allow for more exciting choices!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Stash Tea

Tea Description:

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

On those mornings when I have a difficult time keeping my eyes open and I can’t crawl back into bed, Guayusa is often my choice for that all-important first cup of the day.  It wakes me up the way coffee used to, but without the late morning nausea that I’d get after drinking coffee.  And Guayusa even tastes quite a bit like coffee, except that it has less bitterness.

And with the chai spices that are used in this blend, it makes for a lovely, warming cup on this wet and rainy morning.  The Guayusa makes a nice base for the blend of masala spices, different from the typical black tea base, but, still quite tasty.

The cinnamon is a little overwhelming with this particular chai.  It is not a bad thing – I like cinnamon just fine – but, I find it a little difficult to pick out the other spices as the cinnamon seems to be stealing the spotlight a bit.  This actually tastes a bit more like a cinnamon flavored guayusa than a chai guayusa, because the cinnamon stands front and center while the other spices are a bit in the background, providing more of a accent to the cinnamon than standing on their own.

I am enjoying this very much, as I said, I like cinnamon … but, I had expected the spices to be a little more in balance.  By the time I reach the bottom of the cup, the ginger starts to emerge.  I notice a bit of a prickly, peppery note on the back of my palate from the ginger.  The cloves and cardamom still seem content to be off in the background, but their flavors do become more pronounced by the end of the cup.

Overall, though, a very enjoyable tea, and a great way to wake up!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa and Yerba Maté

Where to Buy:  Stash Tea

Tea Description:

GUAYUSA (gwhy-you-sa) is a rare herbal tea produced from the leaves of a holly tree (ilex guayusa) native to the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. Guayusa is naturally caffeinated and has an awakening effect similar to coffee and yerba mate. For this signature blend, Guayusa is paired with yerba mate and ginseng for an invigorating brew that is sure to awaken your senses.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

This blend really surprised me.  It doesn’t really taste at all like what I expected, which was a very earthy and vegetative/herbaceous kind of taste.  I didn’t really get that at all.  This tastes more like a very smooth, sweet coffee.

It has a warm, nutty kind of taste:  rich, slightly earthy and sweet.  I taste very little of the ginseng.  I also taste very little of the yerba maté … or at least, what I’ve come to recognize as yerba maté.  I taste Guayusa, but, it tastes sweeter than the Guayusa I’ve tasted in the past … perhaps a result of the combination of the other components. It’s really quite tasty!

It’s invigorating, too.  I woke up much too early this morning, and found myself unable to get back to sleep.  So I was very drowsy when I started this cup … but not any more!  I’m awake and ready to go!

I am really glad I got the opportunity to try this blend.  When I received this sample, I wasn’t all that excited about it … but the taste has won me over!  This is really good!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Stash Tea

Tea Description:

GUAYUSA (gwhy-you-sa) is a rare herbal tea produced from the leaves of a holly tree (ilex guayusa) native to the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador. Guayusa is naturally caffeinated and has an awakening effect similar to coffee and yerba mate. For this signature blend, Guayusa is paired with peppermint and spearmint for a refreshing, rejuvenating blend.

Learn more about this tea here.

Taster’s Review:

I really like this blend.  The Guayusa is very invigorating (and I really needed it to help me wake up this morning!) and the mint flavor gives it a very refreshing, crisp taste.

I’ve reviewed a few Guayusa blends now, and I really like this herb.  It has a rich, earthy flavor that is neither too vegetal nor too earthy.  It reminds me a bit of a light roast coffee.  It also reminds me a little of yerba maté, although if given the choice, I’d choose Guayusa over yerba maté, because I like the smooth flavor of Guayusa better than the rather strong (and sometimes a little bitter) taste of yerba maté.  Don’t get me wrong, I like yerba maté too, but, I just prefer Guayusa.  Guayusa has never been bitter or astringent any time I’ve tasted it – it’s always just been smooth and energizing.

This blend combines the delicious flavor of Guayusa with mint … peppermint and spearmint, to be exact.  And the flavor is very minty.  It tastes cool and leaves my mouth feeling very clean and fresh.  But because of the Guayusa it doesn’t taste too minty.  It doesn’t taste like a mouth full of toothpaste, it just tastes refreshing!

While I am drinking this hot at the moment (I prefer my morning teas to be hot), I think it would be very delicious iced too.  However, it isn’t a tea that I’d recommend drinking too late in the evening (which I tend to do with iced teas), because it is a highly caffeinated beverage.

Instead, this is the kind of tea you’d want to drink early in the day when you need a super-charged boost of energy. This tea will do that for you, and without all the sugar of the typical energy drink in a can!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

I was debating what sort of blend we should create with this new ingredient [Guayusa], and Sheri kept insisting it needed to be a lemon blend. I thought lemon was kind of plain, but it did sound good. The problem I saw was that as bold as the guayusa is, it would take some serious doing to convince it to take on any other flavors. But that’s just what we did: I pulled out all the stops to give this bold guayusa a nice gentle (but noticeable) lemon nudge. We added lemon myrtle, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon peel and some sun-dried lemon slices along with natural lemon flavors.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve had this blend for quite a while now (and unfortunately it has long since sold out and is no longer available from 52Teas), it managed to get itself hidden in my stash and as I was sorting through my collection of teas the other day I came across it and decided I must start drinking it!

And I’m glad I did rediscover this Guayusa blend because it really is tasty.  As Guayusa is a rather bold tasting tisane anyway, it is not surprising that it is the strongest flavor of this cup.  The citrus-y lemon notes are there, but they are subtle … until you get to the aftertaste and it is in the aftertaste when the lemon really seems to grab me.  It never becomes a pucker-y type of lemon taste – it isn’t sour – but it is tart and that is what I experience in the aftertaste.  A tickle-y, tingly lemon-y taste coming to life on my palate.

But throughout the sip, the lemon is subdued and sweet, adding just a little lemon-y twist to the unique flavor of the Guayusa, which is somewhat similar to Yerba Maté but without the bitterness of Maté.  It is slightly vegetative, and a little earthy.  It is incredibly smooth.  There is no astringency to it.

Guayusa is a stimulating drink and I find that it has the same effects on me as coffee … with one notable difference:  I don’t get sick a couple of hours later when I drink Guayusa.  I get the boost of alertness without the sick effects afterward.  That’s a win-win in my book!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Runa

Product Description:

A zesty guayusa blend that wakes you up with an invigorating twist of ginger and citrus.

Taster’s Review:

I love ginger flavored teas.  But even though I love the taste of ginger, I still usually brace myself for that distinctive peppery kick from the ginger.  With this tea, I was surprised at just how gentle the ginger is.

It still has a bit of peppery taste, but, it is much softer than I expected.  It is well-balanced with the bright citrus-y tones of the orange flavor.  With this tisane, the two flavors do not compete with one another, instead, they work together to provide a smooth delivery.  The orange tastes juicy and tangy-sweet, and the ginger is warm and zesty.

With this combination of flavors, the Guayusa tastes a little different.  I wouldn’t say it’s “off” in any way, because I’m really enjoying the flavor of the Guayusa.  Rather, I would say that the citrus and ginger seem to accent the Guayusa differently, highlighting different notes in the Guayusa.  It tastes a little more vegetative and a little less earthy.  It seems to have a lighter composure.  It is still bold and flavorful, but it doesn’t taste quite as rich here.  Still very enjoyable though.

This is a very energizing and delicious cup of tea!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Runa

Product Description:

The energizing power of guayusa with a crisp and rejuvenating organic peppermint.

Taster’s Review:

The more I drink Guayusa, the more I like it.  In many ways, it reminds me of Yerba Maté, as it has similar earthy/vegetative qualities.  But Guayusa is smoother than Yerba Maté.  Yerba Maté can sometimes be a little bitter, but I’ve never experienced any bitterness from Guayusa.

It also reminds me a bit of a good strong cup of black tea.  It has a bold, rich flavor and has the stimulating effects of coffee – but with one significant difference – I don’t experience the same ill after-effects with Guayusa that I do when I drink coffee.  So I have found myself turning to Guayusa more and more – especially when I need a good “wake up” on those mornings when I would rather be sleeping.

This Peppermint Guayusa is delightful.  The peppermint flavor is strong.  It is crisp, clean and vibrant.  Very minty, but I am not finding it to be too minty, thanks to the Guayusa.  It curbs the minty taste just enough.  The result is a smooth, delicious cup.  Slightly sweet and pleasantly minty.  Just what I needed this morning!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

This is a very limited edition of our rain forest rocket fuel, Ecuadorian guayusa blended with natural bergamot flavors. If you haven’t had a chance to try guayusa yet, this is a GREAT opportunity you do NOT want to miss.

Guayusa is an herbal tea, related to yerba mate. Like mate, it is highly caffeinated, but guayusa has a very rich, bold, just slightly earthy flavor. It tastes like a VERY BOLD black tea, but with absolutely no astringency. It has a very smooth and round flavor (I’m not sure what round tastes like, but that’s how I would describe it; don’t take my word for it, try it yourself, you won’t be disappointed).

I had some of this earlier today, and the sharp citrus notes contrast nicely with the rich, mellow guayusa. It is really delicious.

Taster’s Review:

As I’ve said many times before, I do love Earl Grey, so you know I had to try this Guayusa blend.

This has a very interesting flavor.  What comes immediately to mind when trying to think of a way to describe it is:  bergamot flavored coffee.  But, that isn’t as incisive as I would like it to be.  So, please bear with me as I sip this tea and attempt to describe for you this fabulous cuppa that I’m tasting.

This is a well-flavored tisane, and I have to be honest when I say that I was a little worried about that.  Now, as most of you probably know, I LOVE 52Teas.  In fact, they are probably my favorite tea company.  That being said, it doesn’t mean that they are perfect.  And speaking from a tea blender point-of-view, Earl Grey is a difficult tea to blend.  It is difficult to get the bergamot flavor just right.  If it is over-flavored, it tastes soapy.  If it is under-flavored, well, really, what’s the point?

So, while I had my doubts, I tried to be hopeful.  And, as it turns out, hope triumphed over doubt!  As I said, this is well-flavored.  The bergamot has a delightful citrus tangy flavor, and when paired with the Guayusa, it is unbelievably smooth.  The bergamot is well-defined without tasting like perfume.

The Guayusa as a base is invigorating and bold, but as it has no astringency or bitterness to it, it provides a pleasantly sweet, remarkably smooth delivery for the bergamot.  Here the bergamot offers more of it’s fruity attributes, and less of its somewhat flowery quality.  It has a sharp tangy flavor that is a excellent contrast to the earthy and somewhat vegetative tones of the Guayusa.

Another delicious cuppa:  Thank you 52Teas!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Runa

Product Description:

An Amazonian blend of energizing guayusa with full-bodied cinnamon and aromatic lemongrass.

Taster’s Review:

At first sniff, this became a blend I was not too sure about.  I mean, I like cinnamon, and I like lemongrass, and I have also really been enjoying the guayusa that I’ve been trying.  But what caught me off-guard here was the aroma of the dry leaf.  It smelled cinnamon-y, sure, but I think I was expecting more “spice” from it.  Perhaps I’ve been a little too spoiled by all the masala chai blends I drink!

Even though the dry leaf fragrance was not quite what I was thinking it would be, I am loving the scent of the brewed tisane.  It smells warm and cinnamon-ish, reminding me a bit of cinnamon toast!

And it tastes really good.  The cinnamon is strong, but it isn’t that spicy-hot kind of cinnamon taste, this is more of a savory cinnamon:  warm, sweet and lightly spiced.  The lemongrass comes through like a whisper throughout the sip, showing itself here and there.  It is in the finish and aftertaste that the lemongrass takes its moment to shine with a crisp, citrus-y note.

These two flavors are a perfect match with the earthy/vegetative note of the guayusa.  The earthy notes of the guayusa play well to the earthy tones of the cinnamon, while the vegetal taste of the guayusa enhance the lemongrass notes.  It is a symphony on the palate – very enjoyable, indeed!

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  Runa

Product Information:

Known for its stimulating effects, indigenous hunters drink guayusa to sharpen their instincts. They call it the “Night Watchman” because it helps them stay awake and alert all night.

Taster’s Review:

I haven’t consumed much Guayusa, but what I’ve tried thus far I’ve really liked.  I was certain I’d enjoy this offering from Runa, since Runa is one of the principal suppliers of Guayusa within the United States.  This is FRESH from the source!

This Traditional Guayusa is the plain, unflavored Guayusa – and it’s really good on its own.  It has a pleasant flavor.  It is earthy and vegetative, and the immediate product that comes to mind to compare it to would be green Yerba Maté – but the earthy/vegetative taste is not as prominent with the Guayusa as it is with Yerba Maté.  It also has a coffee-like taste to it, but without that coffee bitterness.

Guayusa is a powerful stimulant, so I recommend drinking this one early enough in the day so that it’s not keeping you awake when you should be sleeping.  But, even though it is an eye-opening cup, it doesn’t pack that caffeine JOLT that coffee (and sometimes Yerba Maté) does.  It is remarkably smooth with a pleasant undertone of sweetness.

I like this with just a tiny drizzle of honey to bring out some of the sweeter notes of the Guayusa, although it is tasty served straight up too.  And if you want a creamier cup, it takes the addition of milk well.  If you’ve been curious about Guayusa, this Traditional Guayusa from Runa is a perfect place to start!