Lemolicious Ecuadorian Guayusa from 52Teas

Tea Information:

Leaf Type:  Guayusa

Where to Buy:  52Teas

Product Description:

I was debating what sort of blend we should create with this new ingredient [Guayusa], and Sheri kept insisting it needed to be a lemon blend. I thought lemon was kind of plain, but it did sound good. The problem I saw was that as bold as the guayusa is, it would take some serious doing to convince it to take on any other flavors. But that’s just what we did: I pulled out all the stops to give this bold guayusa a nice gentle (but noticeable) lemon nudge. We added lemon myrtle, lemon balm, lemongrass, lemon verbena, lemon peel and some sun-dried lemon slices along with natural lemon flavors.

Taster’s Review:

I’ve had this blend for quite a while now (and unfortunately it has long since sold out and is no longer available from 52Teas), it managed to get itself hidden in my stash and as I was sorting through my collection of teas the other day I came across it and decided I must start drinking it!

And I’m glad I did rediscover this Guayusa blend because it really is tasty.  As Guayusa is a rather bold tasting tisane anyway, it is not surprising that it is the strongest flavor of this cup.  The citrus-y lemon notes are there, but they are subtle … until you get to the aftertaste and it is in the aftertaste when the lemon really seems to grab me.  It never becomes a pucker-y type of lemon taste – it isn’t sour – but it is tart and that is what I experience in the aftertaste.  A tickle-y, tingly lemon-y taste coming to life on my palate.

But throughout the sip, the lemon is subdued and sweet, adding just a little lemon-y twist to the unique flavor of the Guayusa, which is somewhat similar to Yerba Maté but without the bitterness of Maté.  It is slightly vegetative, and a little earthy.  It is incredibly smooth.  There is no astringency to it.

Guayusa is a stimulating drink and I find that it has the same effects on me as coffee … with one notable difference:  I don’t get sick a couple of hours later when I drink Guayusa.  I get the boost of alertness without the sick effects afterward.  That’s a win-win in my book!