Everything people ask us about guayusa, our teas and your order. Can't find your answer? Write to us at hello@pachaguayusa.org.
About guayusa
What is guayusa?
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is a tree native to the Amazon rainforest of Ecuador. Its leaves are brewed into a naturally caffeinated drink that Amazonian communities have shared for generations, traditionally before sunrise. Botanically it's a holly, a cousin of yerba mate, not a relative of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis).
Is guayusa the same as yerba mate?
No. Both are South American hollies with caffeine, but they're different species. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) comes from Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay and southern Brazil. Guayusa grows in the Amazon. Guayusa is usually described as milder and less bitter, and our guayusa is air-dried, never smoked.
What does guayusa taste like?
Earthy, with a pleasant bitterness, a light floral note and a natural hint of sweetness. Our Traditional variety is rich and bold, Golden is smooth and mellow, and Green is fresh and light.
Is guayusa psychoactive?
No. Guayusa is a caffeinated leaf, like tea, coffee or yerba mate. Its energy comes from caffeine.
Caffeine and energy
How much caffeine does guayusa have compared to coffee?
It depends on the format. Our loose leaf has about 66 mg per 4 g serving (Traditional), and our 5 g tea bags about 82 mg. The FDA puts a 12 oz cup of brewed coffee at about 113–247 mg, black tea at about 71 mg and green tea at about 37 mg.
How much caffeine is in each PACHA product?
Approximate caffeine per serving: Guayusa Powder (1 tsp, ~6 g) ~120 mg · Extra Fine Loose Leaf (2 tsp, ~8 g) ~115 mg · Tea Bags 50 ct (5 g) ~82 mg · Guayusa Cacao (1 tsp) ~80 mg · Traditional Loose Leaf (4 g) ~66 mg · Golden Tea Bags 50 ct (5 g) ~66 mg · Instant Guayusa Pure (1 g) ~60 mg · Green Loose Leaf (4 g) ~59 mg · Golden Loose Leaf (4 g) ~52 mg · Tea Bags 100 ct (2.5 g) ~41 mg · Green Tea Bags (1.5 g) ~22 mg. Caffeine varies naturally from batch to batch, because every harvest of leaves is a little different, so all our figures are approximate.
Does guayusa feel different from coffee?
Many drinkers describe guayusa as a smoother, steadier lift than coffee. Besides caffeine, the leaf contains a little theobromine (also found in cacao), chlorogenic acids and other polyphenols. Everyone responds to caffeine differently, so see how it feels for you.
Which variety should I choose?
Traditional (about 66 mg per 4 g) is rich and bold, best for focus. Green (about 59 mg) is fresh and light, for everyday drinking. Golden (about 52 mg) is smooth and mellow, the gentlest of the three.
Can I drink guayusa at night?
Guayusa contains caffeine, so it can affect sleep, like coffee or tea. If you want a late cup, pick our lowest-caffeine option, Green Guayusa Tea Bags (about 22 mg per bag), and see how you sleep.
Is guayusa safe during pregnancy?
Guayusa contains caffeine. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists suggests keeping caffeine under 200 mg a day during pregnancy. Please talk to your doctor before adding guayusa if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or sensitive to caffeine.
Brewing
How do I brew loose leaf guayusa?
Pour 8 oz of boiling water over 2 full teaspoons of leaf and steep for 5–10 minutes. Use a filter, French press, teapot or strainer. Steep longer or add more leaf for a stronger cup.
Can I make iced guayusa or cold brew?
Yes. For iced, let the hot infusion cool to room temperature and add ice. For cold brew, steep the leaves directly in cold water for 2 hours or more, then strain. No heat needed.
How do I use Guayusa Powder and Instant Guayusa?
Powder: blend 1 teaspoon into a smoothie, juice, yogurt or milk, or steep it and filter. Instant Guayusa Pure: stir 1/4 teaspoon into 8 oz of hot or cold water for 30 seconds.
How many cups are in a bag?
A 2 lb bag of our Traditional, Golden or Green loose leaf makes about 225 cups at a 4 g serving; Extra Fine makes about 113 cups at 8 g. Tea bags make one cup each (100 or 50 per box), Instant Guayusa Pure has 30 servings, and a 4 oz bag of Guayusa Powder makes about 19 servings of 1 teaspoon (about 6 g).
Can I re-steep guayusa?
Yes. Loose leaf and our 5 g tea bags have enough leaf for a second, lighter cup.
Our guayusa
Where does your guayusa come from?
From the Ecuadorian Amazon, in Napo province, mainly around Archidona. We work directly with small-scale farmers, without intermediaries, so we can pay fair prices and buy from them regularly.
What is a chakra?
A chakra is a traditional Amazonian forest garden. Guayusa grows in the shade of many other plants and trees instead of in a single-crop plantation, which helps keep the land diverse and supports local families. In 2023, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) recognized the Amazonian Chakra of Ecuador's Napo province as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System.
How is your guayusa processed?
The leaves are selected and picked by hand, withered (except Golden), air-dried, oven-dried, cut and packed in small batches. They are never smoked.
Is your guayusa certified?
Yes. Our guayusa is certified by Chakra Alliance, a nonprofit that checks chakra farms in Ecuador's Amazon against four pillars: conservation, biodiversity, fair work and natural farming (no synthetic chemicals). Three of our farming families hold Producer Certification, which belongs to each family, and PACHA holds Trader Certification, so our guayusa can be traced from the certified farm to your cup. We keep the circle small on purpose: we choose quality over quantity.
Do your products have additives?
No. Our guayusa products are 100% guayusa leaf. The only blend is Guayusa Cacao, which is guayusa leaf plus Ecuadorian fine aroma cacao.
Why don't your tea bags have strings or tags?
To reduce waste. Our tea bags come without tags, strings or individual wrappers, which keeps a lot of material out of landfills.
Orders, shipping and returns
How long does shipping take?
We prepare orders in 1–3 days. Delivery takes 2–10 days within the U.S.
Do you ship internationally?
Our retail products (loose leaf, tea bags, instant, powder and cacao) ship within the U.S. only. Outside the U.S., we sell guayusa in bulk: email sales@pacha.ec and we'll prepare a quote for your country.
Do bulk orders go through customs?
Yes. Bulk and wholesale orders may ship directly from Ecuador and must clear customs in the destination country, which can add time depending on inventory, production and customs clearance. Bags are sometimes opened during customs inspections, and we can't be responsible for damage caused by those inspections.
Can I return my order?
Because our products are food, we can't accept returns. If your item arrives in bad condition (for example, expired or spoiled), contact us within 30 days of purchase and we'll refund it.
Can I buy guayusa in bulk or wholesale?
Yes. We supply guayusa leaf to tea, energy drink, powder, smoothie and brewery makers. We sell bulk orders both in the U.S. and internationally. See our Buy in Bulk page or email sales@pacha.ec.
How can I contact you?
Email us at hello@pachaguayusa.org. PACHA is operated by Pacha Guayusa LLC.
Sources:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?" — https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
- ACOG, "How much coffee can I drink while I'm pregnant?" — https://www.acog.org/womens-health/experts-and-stories/ask-acog/how-much-coffee-can-i-drink-while-pregnant
- Wise G., Negrin A. (2020). "A critical review of the composition and history of safe use of guayusa." Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition 60(14):2393-2404 — https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2019.1643286
- FAO, GIAHS: "Amazonian Chakra" (Napo, Ecuador) — https://www.fao.org/giahs/giahs-around-the-world/ecuador-amazonian-chakra/en