Loose leaf is guayusa at its most traditional: whole, cut leaf that you steep in a French press, teapot or strainer, just as Amazonian families have brewed it for generations. Our leaf comes from small-scale farmers in Napo, Ecuador, who grow it in chakras, shaded forest gardens with many species instead of a single crop. It's picked by hand, air-dried and never smoked, and sold in 2 lb bags that make about 225 cups at a 4 g serving.
Three varieties from one leaf, plus a stronger cut (approximate caffeine):
To brew, pour 8 oz of boiling water over 2 full teaspoons and steep 5–10 minutes. It's also excellent iced or cold-brewed. Caffeine varies a little from harvest to harvest, so treat these figures as approximate.
New to guayusa? Start with What Is Guayusa? or compare it with mate in Guayusa vs Yerba Mate.
Frequently asked questions
What is loose leaf guayusa tea?
It's the dried, cut leaf of Ilex guayusa, a caffeinated holly from the Ecuadorian Amazon. You steep it like loose leaf tea in a French press, teapot or strainer, which lets you control how strong each cup is.
How many cups does a 2 lb bag of loose leaf guayusa make?
About 225 cups of Traditional, Golden or Green at a 4 g serving (2 full teaspoons). Extra Fine makes about 113 cups at about 8 g per cup.
What's the difference between Traditional, Golden and Green guayusa?
All three come from the same leaf; only the processing changes. Traditional is rich and bold (~66 mg per 4 g), Green is fresh and light (~59 mg), and Golden, dried without withering, is smooth and mellow (~52 mg).
How do I brew loose leaf guayusa?
Pour 8 oz of boiling water over 2 full teaspoons and steep 5–10 minutes. For iced guayusa, cool the infusion and pour over ice; for cold brew, steep the leaves in cold water for 2+ hours and strain.
Is your guayusa smoked?
No. Our leaves are picked by hand, air-dried and never smoked, so the flavor you taste is the leaf itself.
