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!
Guayusa Spice from Runa
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!
Traditional Guayusa from Runa
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!
Amazon Spice Guayusa from Runa available at Mark T. Wendell
Tea Type: Guayusa
Brand Name: Runa
Where to buy: Mark T. Wendell
Product Description:
We are pleased to introduce our customers to the Ecuadorian herb, Guayusa (why-YOU-sah). For thousands of years communities throughout the Amazon have cultivated the guayusa leaf for a natural, delicious source of energy and nutrition. A truly balanced stimulant, guayusa contains caffeine, antioxidants, vitamins, and amino acids to awaken the mind and fortify the body.
Guayusa contains 50% more antioxidants than green tea. With a combined effect of sustained energy, what the indigenous Kichwa people call “mental strength and courage”, guayusa continues to be the center of morning rituals throughout the Amazon. Guayusa’s unique blend of caffeine, theobromine, and theophyline is what facilitates a whole-body feeling of awareness and presence. Every harvest, local farmers hand-pick guayusa leaves from the rich soil under the canopy of the Amazon rainforest. Available from Runa in pyramid teabags, each great tasting flavor is 100% organic, naturally smooth and balanced. With Runa’s focus on fair trade pricing and Amazon reforestation projects, you can feel good about rejuvenating with these unique herbal tea selections.
Cupping guayusa is a discovery of rich flavor and cultural tradition. Pour boiling water over the pyramid tea bag and steep for 4-7 minutes, or longer for a darker brew. Sip slowly and enjoy as you awaken your mind and fortify your body with Runa.
Tasters Review:
Here at SororiTEA Sisters not only do we like to be trendsetters (doesn’t ANY Sorority?) we also like to follow trends! Guayusa has been getting more and more press lately and eventho we cannot claim we are trendsetters on this tisane we gladly admit we are following the trend and think it’s going to be around for quite some time due to it’s health benefits!
This signature blend combines rich, invigorating Guayusa with full-bodied cinnamon and a sweet aromatic lemongrass, in a traditional Amazonian blend.
Here are my findings on this product available at Mark T. Wendell…
This smells a little herbally but it seems to have a SMIDGE of berry aroma hiding somewhere, too. The spices are very subtle and very light. Once infused I can smell the lemongrass and the spice is just underneath the lemon-aroma. The taste is pretty different tho – there is a cinnamon powder type taste paired with the lemongrass on the tongue and that’s on top of the green bean or fresh pea type taste I have been associating with Guayusa. Not bad. Very different from what I expected…but not bad at all!
