Guayusa Compared: Types, Formats and Brands Side by Side

Guayusa is still a young category in the United States, and until recently it was hard to see how one product stacked up against another. That is why we like the idea behind the Guayusa Field Guide at guayusa.us: a catalog that puts guayusa teas, powders and extracts side by side so you can compare them. We were happy to see that it chose to include six PACHA products among the 21 it lists. Here is why comparing guayusa is worth your time, what to compare, and how to use the Field Guide as a starting point.

Why comparing guayusa makes sense

Not all guayusa is the same. Two bags with the same name can differ in the variety of the leaf, how it was dried, how finely it is cut and how much caffeine ends up in your cup. If you are new to the plant, our guide What Is Guayusa? is a good place to begin. Once you know the basics, comparing is how you find the one that fits your day.

Compare the three types of leaf

The same leaf becomes three different cups depending on how long it withers before drying:

Caffeine figures are approximate, because every harvest is a little different. Our caffeine guide breaks the numbers down by variety and by format.

Compare the formats

The format changes how you brew it and how much caffeine you get per serving:

• Loose leaf is the classic way: a medium cut for the pot or French press, or an extra fine cut for a stronger cup. See How to Make Guayusa Tea for hot, iced and cold brew.
• Tea bags are the easy option, in light (about 22 mg), medium (about 41 mg) and strong (about 82 mg) strengths.
• Powder and instant blend or stir into cold drinks, smoothies and lattes. Try the ideas in Guayusa Powder & Cacao: 5 Easy Recipes.
• Extracts are concentrated liquids. They are a different product from the leaf, so compare them separately.

If you are weighing guayusa against other drinks, read Guayusa vs Yerba Mate and Best Coffee Alternatives With Caffeine.

What the Guayusa Field Guide offers

As of September 2026, the site listed 12 loose leaf teas, 7 tea bags, 1 powder and 1 liquid extract from 12 brands. It has:

• A catalog organized by format.
• A comparator that lines products up next to each other.
• A buying guide, a short blog and a page on other energy teas.
• An "Our Score" for each product, out of 100, built mostly from Amazon data: value, Amazon rating, sales rank, certifications, whether caffeine is stated and whether the brand sells directly.

It is a handy way to see many products in one place. Keep in mind two things the site is open about: it is an Amazon affiliate that earns a commission on purchases made through its links, and its score is its own editorial index, not a certification or an independent lab test. We are not affiliated with the site, and it is not affiliated with us. Use it as one source and cross-check the details on each brand's own page.

Where PACHA appears

The Field Guide lists six PACHA products: our Traditional loose leaf (in two sizes), Extra Fine loose leaf, Tea Bags in 100 and 50 counts, and Guayusa Powder. You can see how each one is made, and its caffeine per serving, on our own pages: Guayusa Loose Leaf, Guayusa Tea Bags, 100 count and Guayusa Powder.

How to compare guayusa brands yourself

Whatever you use to compare, these checks tell you the most:

1. Find the caffeine per serving, and the serving size. "66 mg" means little without "per 4 g." Our caffeine guide shows how serving size changes the number. If you are sensitive to caffeine, read Is Guayusa Safe? first.
2. Work out the cost per cup, not per ounce. Divide the price by the number of servings. A 2 lb bag of loose leaf makes about 225 cups at a 4 g serving.
3. Match the format to how you drink it. Pot, bag, glass or blender.
4. Read the certification, not just the badge. USDA Organic looks at what goes into the soil. Chakra Alliance Certified looks at how the land is organized and how workers are treated. They answer different questions. PACHA's guayusa carries Chakra Alliance certification: three of our farming families hold Producer Certification, and PACHA holds Trader Certification. We keep that circle small on purpose: we choose quality over quantity. We do not claim USDA Organic.
5. Check how the leaf is dried. Air-dried leaf tastes different from smoked leaf. Ours is never smoked.
6. Look at where it comes from. Brands that can tell you where the leaf is grown, and by whom, are easier to trust. Ours is grown by small-scale farmers in Napo province, Ecuador, in chakras. Read the full story in From Chakra to Cup.

Looking for a replacement for a discontinued guayusa you used to drink? See Runa Guayusa Discontinued: What to Drink Instead. Curious about what the leaf contains? Read Guayusa Tea Benefits: What the Leaf Actually Contains.

Browse the comparison

Ready to look around? Visit the Guayusa Field Guide at guayusa.us to browse more products and see the comparison side by side, then come back to our shop when you know which type and format you want.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is guayusa.us?

It is the Guayusa Field Guide, an independent catalog that compares guayusa teas, powders and extracts sold in the U.S. It scores products using Amazon data and says it earns affiliate commissions from Amazon purchases.

Are PACHA products in the Guayusa Field Guide?

Yes. When we looked, the Field Guide listed six PACHA products: Traditional loose leaf in two sizes, Extra Fine loose leaf, Tea Bags in 100 and 50 counts, and Guayusa Powder.

Is PACHA affiliated with the Guayusa Field Guide?

No. The site states that it is not affiliated with any of the brands it lists, and PACHA has no relationship with it.

Which type of guayusa should I choose?

It depends on how strong and how bold you like your cup. Traditional is the boldest, Green is fresh and light, and Golden is smooth and mellow. Then pick the format that fits how you drink it: loose leaf, tea bags, powder or instant.

Does guayusa need to be organic to be good?

Organic and Chakra Alliance Certified are different things. Organic certification covers what is used in the soil and in processing. Chakra Alliance covers the agroforestry system, biodiversity and fair work. PACHA's guayusa is Chakra Alliance certified.