Guayusa vs. yerba mate – what to choose?
Guayusa is often called the cousin of yerba mate - there is a reason for that. Both plants have many things in common. If you want to know more about similarities and differences between guayusa and yerba mate, read this article!
Guayusa and yerba mate – origin
Both yerba mate and guayusa come from South America. Ilex paraguariensis, of which yerba mate is made, grows naturally in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina and Ilex guayusa comes from Ecuador. Although they belong to the same family of the holly trees, yerba mate is much more popular. During the conquest period, yerba mate became the most important export product. At the same time, Ecuador started selling cotton and bananas that were more profitable than guayusa. Nowadays guayusa gain more and more popularity on the global market and, to our delight, more and more of our Clients reach for this product!
Guayusa and yerba mate – taste and energizing properties
One of the most important similarities between yerba mate and guayusa is their energizing potential. Both products are rich in natural caffeine which is responsible for the stimulation effect. The element that is a link between those two products is the fact that in contrast to coffee they don’t cause a sharp increase in blood pressure nor the energy drop after the effect stops. Energizing effect lasts for a long time. Both yerba mate and guayusa were used by Indian tribes before night watch or huntings. In South American culture guayusa is sometimes called „the tea of the night watchman”. Both drinks can be used as a healthier and equally effective alternative to coffee or energy drinks. A characteristic feature of yerba mate is its bitter taste because of which many people give up on it. In such situation guayusa is the best idea - the content of tannins is lower. These substances are responsible for characteristic bitterness. Due to this fact guayusa has much subtler, vegetal taste.
Guayusa and yerba mate – nutrients
The content of nutrients in yerba mate and guayusa is similar; these plants belong to the same family. Yerba mate is a beverage rich in many valuable substances. It is a great source of B vitamins and elements such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and others. Guayusa, on the other hand, is a source of vitamins C and D, calcium, potassium, zinc and chromium. Both plants provide the organism with a solid dose of antioxidants - they are to fight the free radicals responsible for the development of some types of cancer. Another common feature is the content of L-theanine which is responsible for increasing the frequency of alpha waves in the brain. They decrease the feeling of stress and stabilize mood. Guayusa contains even more of this substance than yerba mate! Nevertheless, we encourage you to try both of these beverages! It is worth it!
