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.
