Guayusa

Thought I would try this since I slept really well last night. I’m not really feeling groggy. I think Guayusa is supposed to be a bit more stimulating than my typical black breakfast blend. I’ve been eyeballing the package since it came it and I just don’t want to wait any longer.
It seems like there is a definite green category of tea with diverse flavors. For example some of the green teas are a fresh, crisp green flavor. The oolong I tried was a sweet, heavy green taste. This is green like grass that just been cut. Yet it is still sweet. A funny toasty like taste has shown up. It’s very faint. Ghost toasted tea. Who ya gonna call?!
I like it but I think I’d like a flavored guayusa just as well.

I had this tea this morning, so I guess it’s a backlog? Maybe?

I got this one in the Steepster Select package that I won (the April box) and I’ve had it once before this but for some reason I haven’t reviewed it yet…….. Blame it on the laziness. Anyways, I really like this one a lot. I definitely like the stimulation effects of guayusa more than mate. I like mate a lot but it’s more comparable to coffee than guayusa, which gives more of a subtle energy rush than an energy hit. It’s slightly vegetal and grassy in flavor, with a little bit of a lemon taste in the background. It’s smooth and yet bold, and very enjoyable.

I really liked this but I feel like I will like flavored guayusas more (I’ve had the Earl Grey Guayusa from 52teas and it was just okay) and I look forward to trying more from Runa.

I do not think this Guayusa thing is for me. It has a sweet, grassy taste that, while not altogether unpleasant… just isn’t something I strive for in a drink.

The smell and taste are very reminiscent of a fresh cut grass clippings, from that first cut in the spring where you’ve never really had enough days in a row for the grass to get dry. So you kind of struggle through the clumping, wet grass, so that you can get a handle on the lawn. That’s what this reminds me of, wet clumpy grass.

The second batch of this sample that we brewed, we included some Ssssspicy from SerendipiTea, and it did improve the flavor some (which means to say that the spices drowned out some of the grassy flavor).

So yeah. Not my cup of tea-like-herbal-beverage, but I kind of guessed that going in, so I don’t think it’s quite fair to give it a lower rating. If I did rate it though, it would probably be… 60s or so. Like I said, it isn’t offensive, it just is far from desirable.

LOVIN IT! Thank you Jason and Steepster Select for my free box of tea!

Drinking this now..LOVE it! Very smooth and clean tasting. I asked for this as my sample from New Mexico Tea company. I decided to go with just the plain guayusa, I figured I can always add spices to it to make it like the others. I had the first cup plain, the second cup I added 1 teaspoon of Verdant Tea’s Thai Fire blend for a little kick. NICE! I will diffidently be buying this, sucks I can’t buy it locally but this will be on my list.

This is really nice. Smooth, lightly sweet, and pleasant. I am hoping it isn’t too late in the day to enjoy a cup of Guayusa – since I’m kind of a night owl, I’m thinking I should be alright.

I confess that this is about two years old. I bought a pound of it as a study aid back in grad school, hoping that it would work better than coffee or soda. Turns out I’m too distractable to actually finish an entire pound of tea in any reasonable amount of time.

That said, this is still quite tasty. I’ve had it as my morning travel mug tea for the past three days. The first time, I added a touch of honey, which made it fantastic. Since then, I haven’t added honey, but have (re)discovered that the guayusa flavor profile already includes a touch of honey. While the dry leaves don’t have much of a scent anymore, the brewed tea smells like honey water.

It’s possible that time has reduced the potency of the energizing effect. I just can’t tell if that’s the case – it’s hard to compare to a distant memory. Of course the solution is to buy some new guayusa for the sake of comparison…

What a wonderful easy to prepare morning tea. This was the first tea i drank this morning as i was running out the door to class. i was surprised of its wonderful earthy and somewhat buttery taste and texture. i made a mug to go since i was late for class and it was the perfect amount of caffeine for the morning. i did three full steepings of the tea and each steeping brought out a new twist to its simple earthy taste.
if you drink mate in the morning and either like or dislike the taste i recommend this as an alternative because it is not as finicky since you do use boil water.
++ in my book for a morning tea boost

Check out our video-review here: http://healthyprofessionals.blog.com/2011/06/20/the-tea-show-episode-15-runas-traditional-guayusa/

A tasty treat. It took me a bit to get used to, but now I brew this awesome tea daily. I have gotten the hang of brewing it correctly. This is an invigorating, tasty, and energizing drink. I had my serious doubts with the taste, and the effect it would give me, but it pulled through and has rocked my socks off. The round, mellow, and sweet taste is so subtle. It is like a fine wine in which the greatness is in its subtleties. I drink this once a day, and feel a great energy everytime.

Very drinkable as Morning Bus said, reminds me of an earthy Peony. Could be an “acquired taste” to some. I like how Runa connects the tea to the people where it grows, providing cultural stimulus to consider while you sip the tea. I liked seeing the videos of them drinking it early in the am around the campfire…(runa.org)

Aroma: earthy, green
Flavor: mollasses, autumnal,
Texture: silky, clean
Finish: slightly sweet

I think I like it. Let’s say I don’t hate it but I generally like most teas and herbs. There was a touch of bitterness so I added half a tsp agave syrup but I would prefer to enjoy guayusa unsweetened. I used three “real” (equivalent of 1.5 tsp) scoops for 500ml water in my Breville. I have read it can be flavorful for up to six steepings so that is what I am aiming to do. Steeped twice at 3 min each but my bladder is already full. Think this will take me all day. Anyone know if this cold steeps well? I have never directly cold steeped anything. The brew has always had at least one hot steep before I add tap water and leave in the fridge.

I am going to be honest I didn’t know what think when I first smelled the steeped tea. It wasn’t unpleasant, but it I couldn’t quite place it. However, the teas is quite tasty. There is a light grassy flavor that pairs well with the natural sweetness in the tea. I am not sure if it is placebo, but as I sit here I can feel a usual caffeine related feeling.

I bought a pound of this from Amazon since it was so cheap, but when I opened the bag I was worried – it just smelled like grass. And when I had steeped it it still smelled only of grass. Still, it ended up being a very tasty tea. I find it’s best if I throw a few pods of star anise in there, but that’s just personal preference.

Love this tea. The energy it gives me is wonderful while trying to start my day. Love it mixed with Teavana teas.

First tasting of Guayusa and it is certainly unique. It has a smooth, herb and vegetal taste reminiscent of verbana and green beans. I prepared as directed, using 1 tablespoon (3 tsp.) of leaves for my cup, which made a strong, dark colored brew.

The first sip was interesting, but left me uncertain of whether I would like the tea. By the end of the cup, I had become accustomed to the unique flavor and ultimately found it to be pretty enjoyable. I expect that, much like yerba mate, I’ll have to have it a few times to really appreciate its nuances.

For next time, I would possibly use less tea for my cup and add some honey at the beginning. I’m also interested in seeing how this tea will perform iced. Suffice to say, I’m eagerly awaiting my next cup.