The preparation of Guayusa is very easy. But there are some tricks with which you can get even more out of the wake-up-maker. We have collected the best recipes and preparation methods for the natural stimulant – here is something for everyone!
Preparation of Guayusa tea
The typical type, Preparing Guayusa tea is very easy:
- Ingredients: dried Guayusa leaves, hot water
- Dosage: 1-2 teaspoons for 250 ml
- Preparation: Pour boiling water over the tea and allow to brew.
- Brewing time: 5-7 minutes
Tips: Depending on where you buy your Guayusa tea, it comes already ready in tea bags or as loose powder. You can hardly do anything wrong. Whether ready as a bag, in a tea strainer or in the Bialetti, Ilex Guayusa is very patient. Also longer infusion times than indicated are no problem, the taste becomes only slightly more intense from about 7 minutes.
second infusion of Guayusa?
Apart from its invigorating and at the same time relaxing effect, Guayusa tea has another tangible advantage: the tea can be infused twice. The caffeine content is only slightly lower with the second infusion. So you can use the morning tea once more during the day, you save costs and act in the sense of a resource-saving lifestyle. Due to the slightly less intensive taste, the second infusion is well suited for the preparation of larger quantities of Guayusa tea.
Other types of preparation
Apart from modern recipes with additional ingredients, there are some basic methods to prepare a cup of Guayusa tea. They are primarily based on personal taste and the required utensils.
Traditional preparation
Traditionally, Quechua Indians prepare Guayusa tea in a pot over the fire. If you don’t have a fireplace at hand, you can also use a stove instead. For this purpose about 1 litre of water is boiled up. Add 3 to 4 teaspoons of dried Guayusa leaves according to taste and simmer for 20 minutes. Then the leaves can be sieved. The relatively long boiling time produces an intensive tea, which is rich in valuable ingredients.
In the espresso machine
Classical espresso machines can also be used for the preparation of Guayusa tea as a coffee alternative. It is advisable to run clear water through the machine before preparing the tea, if the machine has been used with coffee before. Fill the dried Guayusa leaves in the desired quantity (for one cup approx. 1-2 teaspoons) into the sieve holder. Also here the second infusion is worthwhile.
Guayusa in the Bialetti/espresso pot
A bialetti (also misleadingly called espresso pot) is also well suited for the preparation of Guayusa tea. With the Bialetti, water is filled into a container and heated. Above it there is a filter insert into which the Guayusa is poured. By heating the water, the liquid is pressed upwards through the filter and lands via a so-called riser pipe in a vessel mounted above it. Similar to the coffee prepared in this way, the infusion is very strong.
Guayusa in the French Press
The French Press is also a practical way to prepare a cup of Guayusa. Simply pour the desired amount of tea and boiling water into the French Press, let it steep for 5-7 minutes as usual – and the natural stimulant is ready.
Guayusa preparation for lucid dreaming
For many people, one aspect of Guayusa tea is particularly exciting: the possibility of promoting lucid dreams by enjoying the plant. A special preparation method is particularly suitable for this purpose. Approximately one litre of water is heated in a saucepan. As soon as the water boils, 3 teaspoons of Guayusa leaves are added. Then the heat is reduced and the liquid is boiled until about half of the water has boiled away. The resulting brew is very tasty and can be drunk in smaller doses than usual before bedtime. Natural, psychoactive ingredients support lucid dreams in their effect.
Guayusa recipes
With the increasing popularity of Ilex Guayusa in the western world, new ways of preparation are emerging. Exciting recipes are developed and the natural stimulant Guayusa is reinvented as mixed drink.
combucha with Guayusa
Kombucha is a trendy drink in which the fermentation of e.g. green tea produces a fermenting drink with a low alcohol content. Guayusa can be used instead of black or green tea. The combination of the active ingredients of Guayusa with the effect of Kombucha creates a completely new, exciting refreshment. You can find comprehensive instructions for Kombucha on https://wellness-drinks.de/de/kombucha_herstellung.html
Guayusa for cold days
Guayusa tea in the usual amount (250 ml) bring to the boil, add a teaspoon of (brown) sugar and half a cinnamon stick and cook for another 10 minutes. At the end a shot of schnapps of your choice and the Winter-Guayusa
Guayusa limo
For the hot days of the year the preparation is suitable as caffeine iced tea with lemon or lime. Boil up the Guayusa and let it cool down after the infusion time. Then add lemon and (brown) sugar according to taste and serve with ice cubes!
https://www.kallari-futuro.de/guayusa/guayusa-rezept/
https://www.getlucid.de/guayusa/
