Cascara Tea

Cascara Tea

COUNTRY: Bolivia

PROVINCE: Caranavi 

FARM OWNERS: Los Rodríguez Family

Notes: Red currant, lemon, honey, elderflower, gentle mouthfeel, bright acidity and refreshing.

Cáscara, meaning ‘skin’ or ‘peel’ in Spanish, is a novel way of recycling left over coffee pulp, which is produced in huge quantities when ripe coffee cherries are pulped before the beans are washed and dried. In most producing countries this pulp is traditionally seen as worthless and is usually broken down and used as fertilizer – but it is also possible to dry this left over cherry to create the base for a unique and refreshing tea.

Although few have heard of it, Cáscara has a very long and interesting history. Coffee farmers in Yemen and Ethiopia have in fact been drying and brewing cherry like this for centuries – possibly since before coffee seeds were first used to make a drink. In these countries the dried cherry is often steeped along with spices such as ginger, nutmeg or cinnamon to make a fragrant drink known as Hashara in Ethiopia or Qishr in Yemen.

How to brew

Our recommended recipe is as follows:

• Use 5g of cáscara per 200ml
• Steep in hot water
• Stir well and wait for 4 minutes
• Remove the cascara and Enjoy!

Level of caffeine 

Cascara tea typically contains about 20 mg to 50 mg of caffeine per 8 oz cup, depending on the steep ratio and the specific batch of fruit. This is roughly 25% of the caffeine found in a standard cup of brewed coffee, making it comparable to a cup of green or black tea. Unlike traditional tea, the ratio of cascara-to-water heavily dictates the final strength of the drink, while steep time has very little impact on the caffeine extracted.

Key Health Benefits

High in antioxidants, gentle energy boost, digestive support, brain health; potentially supporting cognitive function and memory, anti-inflammatory. 

Nutritional Profile

Unlike sugary or caffeinated energy drinks, cascara is virtually free of fat, cholesterol, and sodium while being very low in calories. It also provides trace amounts of essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, iron, and vitamin C.