Move over green tea and mate, the new healthy coffee alternative has made its way onto our mainstream shelves. It is guayusa. Packed with antioxidants (it has twice the ORAC antioxidant value of green tea products), it is a promising potential super food. With only 24 mg of caffeine for a cup of Runa guayusa tea this Amazonian plant crushes a typical cup of coffee (95mg) if you are looking for a boost of energy but not the high caffeine intake.
For me, one of the best ways to prevent tension and stress from ever manifesting on a day to day basis is to drink less coffee or to skip it altogether. I love coffee, the smell, the taste, the comfort, and will probably always enjoy a cup on most mornings, but shifting to tea during the afternoon helps me to feel productive and energized, even after a pasta lunch, with no coffee crashes or jitters.Guayusa vs. Green Tea
I am a loyal fan of green tea, especially matcha, but I also love trying something new, especially when it comes to soothing, hot drinks. Guayusa is not actually new. It is an ancient brew, shared with the world by the indigenous people of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It has more antioxidants than your average cup of green tea, although it probably has a comparable amount of free radical fighting power as a cup of matcha. It is much easier to make than matcha; pour hot water over tea bag and wait a few minutes, or even a delicate cup of green or black tea, which you have to be careful not to over brew to avoid those tannic, bitter notes.
What about the flavor? Well, I have yet only tried the Runa peppermint and guayusa blend (no, no one treated me to a sample), so I am probably tasting a lot of the peppermint. From behind the minty flavor veil, I would say guayusa is much richer than green tea, with a very clean, green taste.
If you haven't tried guayusa tea, then make yourself a cup. It is a great alternative to coffee if you are interested in cutting down on your caffeine intake but still want the boost of energy and clarity, and the ritual of sipping your hot drink of choice during the day.
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