Our energy powerhouse - Guayusa Bärbucha is, like the name suggests, made with the leaves of Guayusa plant (Ilex guayusa).
It is a small tree that grows in the Ecuadorian rain forest, and leaves of this tree are rich in naturally-occurring caffeine.
Guayusa contains less caffeine per cup than coffee, but more caffeine per cup than green tea, or Yerba Mate.
Guayusa possesses a mild flavor, and a pleasant aroma.
The flavor is similar to Yerba Mate, but with a more plush, fruity flavor and a complete lack of bitterness. Taste-wise it is more similar to green tea, but the flavor is less bitter (tannic) and the texture is more creamy.
Here's a photo how it looks like.
"Guayusa is unusual because on the one hand, it contains caffeine, and so it is useful in helping to maintain wakefulness.
But on the other hand, it also contains an ample supply of L-theanine, an amino acid that imparts a feeling of pleasant tranquility. The combination of the two creates a light and smooth stimulation.
So basically in Guayusa you have a stimulant without ragged edges.
Besides caffeine and L-theanine, Guayusa also contains a range of beneficial flavonoids, polyphenols and saponins, plus twice the antioxidant levels of green tea." (see here)
In other words, our Guayusa Bärbucha Kombucha is a tasty energy stimulating Kombucha, with benefits! And since Kombucha is already a drink that stimulates energy, this particular combination is a double whammy.
Not to mention that after fermentation, Guayusa's flavor is slightly reminiscent of peaches and apricots.
As always, we make this Bärbucha Kombucha just with 100% Guayusa (so no tea).
This particular Guayusa is sourced from Ecuador, and provided to us by DrinkGuya.
Here again, we just have four ingredients: unrefined sugar, filtered water, Kombucha culture and in this case Guayusa.
Because of the higher Caffeine amount in Guayusa, our Scobies naturally love it, too.
They always come out perfect in this brew. With extra froth!
Guayusa always ferments without any problems. When it's done, it's time for the retail bottles.
And when all is set and done, we end up with beauties like this:
As a tea, Guayusa is not that impressive for us. As Kombucha it rocks, as the fermentation brings out so many fruity notes that we can't even believe!
Ingredients: Filtered and Revitalized Water, Live Kombucha Cultures, Unrefined Brown Sugar and Guayusa