150g bag of Pachakuti Guayusa loose leaf tea on fresh guayusa leaves
Close-up of dried, fine-cut guayusa leaves
Growers picking guayusa leaves into a basket with a bag of Guayusa tea
Woman holding a bag of Guayusa tea beside a guayusa plant
Bowl of loose guayusa leaves and a cup of brewed Guayusa tea
Hands holding a bag of Guayusa tea among guayusa leaves
150g bag of Pachakuti Guayusa loose leaf tea on fresh guayusa leaves
Close-up of dried, fine-cut guayusa leaves
Growers picking guayusa leaves into a basket with a bag of Guayusa tea
Woman holding a bag of Guayusa tea beside a guayusa plant
Bowl of loose guayusa leaves and a cup of brewed Guayusa tea
Hands holding a bag of Guayusa tea among guayusa leaves

Guayusa - Traditional Amazonian Leaf Tea

Clean, calm energy from a single Amazonian leaf — naturally caffeinated, smooth and bright. The dawn ritual Kichwa communities have brewed for generations.

Made for anyone swapping coffee for something smoother, and for early risers who want steady focus.

£10.00

A naturally caffeinated leaf from the Ecuadorian Amazon

Traditionally grown within Chakra agroforestry systems alongside native trees, cacao and other crops

An ancient Amazonian tradition, reimagined for the modern daily ritual

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Guayusa is a leaf tea from the holly family, native to the Ecuadorian Amazon, where it has been enjoyed for generations. Naturally containing caffeine and antioxidants, it offers a smooth, refreshing flavour and a distinctive alternative to coffee and traditional tea.

It is naturally low in tannins, so it stays smooth rather than turning bitter even with a longer steep, and it is air-dried rather than smoked, so it carries none of the smoky note of yerba mate. That balanced, clean character makes it a popular choice for mornings, workdays and everyday routines.

Our guayusa is sourced through trusted relationships in Ecuador and carefully prepared to preserve the natural qualities of the leaf.

  • Add 1–2 teaspoons to freshly heated water.
  • Steep for 5–10 minutes depending on desired strength.
  • Enjoy hot or chilled over ice.
  • Naturally contains caffeine. Those sensitive to caffeine may wish to limit consumption.
  • Not recommended for young children.
  • If pregnant, breastfeeding or managing a medical condition, seek advice from a qualified healthcare professional before consumption.
  • Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
  • Do not consume if packaging appears damaged or compromised.

100% pure guayusa leaf, loose-leaf fine cut. Nothing added — just the leaf.

Naturally contains caffeine and antioxidants. Caffeine varies with steep time and quantity; those sensitive to caffeine may prefer a shorter steep, or earlier in the day.

CLEAN ENERGY

A lift with no coffee crash.

CALM FOCUS

Alert and steady, not wired.

SMOOTH TASTE

Earthy, herbal, easy to drink.

DAWN RITUAL

The Amazon’s morning brew for generations.

AMAZON-GROWN

Traditionally grown in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

ANTIOXIDANTS

Naturally rich in plant compounds.

Aerial view of the Amazon rainforest at sunrise, Ancestral Chakra Farming in the Amazon, Pachakuti

OUR STORY · THE NIGHT WATCHMAN

Guayusa: The Night Watchman

Long before energy drinks and speciality coffee became fashionable, families throughout the Ecuadorian Amazon were gathering before sunrise to drink guayusa. Made from the leaves of the Ilex guayusa tree, this traditional Amazonian tea has been enjoyed for centuries and remains an important part of daily life in many indigenous communities.

Read the story
Two growers harvesting guayusa leaves into a woven basket in the Amazon

An ancient Amazonian leaf for the modern daily ritual

Napo Province, Ecuadorian Amazon

“We drink guayusa before the sun. It is how the forest wakes us, and how we listen.”

TOMÁS Q. · GUAYUSA KEEPER, ECUADOR

Pachakuti vs. commodity tea

PACHAKUTI OTHER
Grown beneath the Amazon rainforest canopy ✓ ✕
Traditionally grown in the Ecuadorian Amazon ✓ ✕
100% pure Ilex guayusa leaf ✓ ✕
Naturally caffeinated. No additives. ✓ ✕
Whole leaves, finely cut - never dust or fannings. ✓ ✕
Cultivated through the Indigenous Chakra Amazonica system ✓ ✕
350+ FAMILIES SUPPORTED
Your Impact
Every pack supports the protection of standing rainforest and the Kichwa families who care for it. Each sip helps support a farming system built around people, biodiversity and the forest.
Support Here
120k+ CUPS POURED
4.9 AVERAGE RATING

Questions

Frequently asked

Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is a traditional leaf tea from the holly family, native to the Ecuadorian Amazon. It has been enjoyed for generations and naturally contains caffeine. In Ecuador it’s sometimes known as “The Night Watchman,” because of its traditional association with early-morning gatherings.

It’s pronounced “gwah-YOO-sah.”

Guayusa has a smooth, clean flavour with subtle earthy and herbal notes. It’s naturally low in tannins, so it stays smooth rather than turning bitter even with a longer steep. Many people find it gentler and easier to enjoy every day than traditional black tea.

Yes. Guayusa naturally contains caffeine, making it a popular choice for those looking for a refreshing alternative to coffee or energy drinks.

Guayusa naturally contains caffeine, with the amount in your cup varying according to how strongly it is brewed. Many people enjoy guayusa as a naturally caffeinated drink with a smooth, balanced character.

They’re botanical cousins, both from the Ilex (holly) genus. Guayusa is Ilex guayusa from the Ecuadorian Amazon; yerba mate is Ilex paraguariensis. Guayusa is air-dried, which keeps its flavour smooth and free of the smoky note yerba mate is known for, and it’s naturally lower in tannins, so it’s less bitter. Guayusa also naturally contains L-theanine, an amino acid also found in tea.

Guayusa is a caffeinated leaf tea that many people choose as an alternative to coffee. It naturally contains caffeine, with the amount in your cup varying according to how strongly it is brewed. Guayusa is naturally low in tannins and stays smooth rather than bitter, and being a tea, it can be re-steeped.

Guayusa is enjoyed daily by many people. As it naturally contains caffeine, we’d suggest moderating your intake as you would with tea or coffee, and if you’re pregnant, nursing or sensitive to caffeine, checking with a qualified professional.

Add 1–2 teaspoons to freshly heated water and steep for 5–10 minutes depending on your preferred strength. Enjoy as it is or add lemon or honey to taste.

Absolutely. Guayusa makes an excellent iced tea and can be prepared in advance before serving chilled over ice.

Our guayusa is sourced through trusted relationships in Ecuador, where it has been traditionally enjoyed for generations.

Real cacao, real forest, real people. Nothing hidden.

TRACEABLE TO A SINGLE GARDEN IN THE AMAZON