Incredible aroma of earth and cocoa and the faintest whiff of tobacco when I ripped open the bag. Using 1 TB for a 10oz cup, in a tea-sac, steeping 7 minutes — they recommend 4 to 7 minutes “or more for a darker brew” — boiling water …
At the 5-minute mark, gives off a scent of straw — clean straw. And earth.
Brews quite dark, looking like a pu’erh, if pu’erh released green and brown instead of red and brown colours.
The organic cocoa nibs add a very “healthy” aroma.
Not grassy like some yerba mates. (Mate and guayusa are cousins, both members of the holly family.) Reminds me a bit of some barkier medicinal tisanes with chicory or dandelion root in them. A slight sharpness to the aroma makes me expect bitterness, but I don’t get any. (I’m trying this first cup unsweetened.) Shares the slight nuttiness of some of the Japanese greens. Smooth if mild cocoa aftertaste; this might come out more with stevia.
I need more time with guayusa. But I’m definitely not sorry I tried it.
Will report later on the promised steady no-crash energy guayusa is supposed to deliver.
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Still stoked and focused from the guayusa. Nor manic crazy or anything, but concentration seems better.
Sorry, got my measurements wrong … 1 TB and 16oz/2 cups/500mL water.
Trying it this morning with one packet of stevia, which does not see to sweeten the entire brew, just bring out the cocoa a bit more.
Wow. Quite the steady smoulder of energy. I didn’t dare drink this and yerba mate within the same few hours.
Still stoked and focused from the guayusa. Nor manic crazy or anything, but concentration seems better.
Sorry, got my measurements wrong … 1 TB and 16oz/2 cups/500mL water.
Trying it this morning with one packet of stevia, which does not see to sweeten the entire brew, just bring out the cocoa a bit more.
Wow. Quite the steady smoulder of energy. I didn’t dare drink this and yerba mate within the same few hours.