FAQ
Q: Should I use tea bags or loose leaf guayusa?
A: Our tea bags are easy to use. They are made with the same high quality guayusa as our loose products. On the other hand, our loose guayusa requires a lot less packaging, is a much better deal per pound, and is much more versatile. Many of our customers start off with tea bags, then graduate to loose leaf guayusa. It's really up to you!
Q: How long will guayusa stay fresh if it is stored unopened?
Being a holly tree, guayusa leaves are very hardy and sturdy. The shelf life is 2 years for guayusa, and it can be left unopened for many months unti lthe aroma begins to fade. However, it’s always preferable to store in a sealed tin or pouch in a dark, dry place.
Q: What is the best way to store guayusa?
A: It is preferable to store guayusa in a dark, dry place. Avoid letting the herb contact air, water, or light. Keeping the unopened packages in a cupboard should be fine.
Q: What does “Runa” mean?
Runa means “fully living human being” in the indigenous Kichwa language of the Ecuadorian Amazon. It is a term of immense cultural pride for the Kichwa people, and represents our company’s commitment to sharing the Kichwa’s rich cultural heritage with a global community.
Q: How did the company start?
Three graduates from Brown University began working with several communities in the Ecuadorian Amazon to manifest a shared vision of bringing this ancestral tea to market through an innovative Fair Trade system. President Tyler Gage had been working in the Amazon for over 4 years, and the whole Runa team is passionate about using Fair Trade business as a way to support the sustainable development of local communities.
Q: Is this tea?
No. Guayusa is produced from the leaves of a caffeinated Amazonian holly tree (ilex guayusa), and is not related to the tea plant (camelia sinensis) that produces green and black tea. A more accurate description for guayusa would be a "caffeinated herbal tea" or a "tisane," the French word used to describe herbal infusions that are prepared and enjoyed like tea.
Q: Is this like yerba maté?
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is the Amazonian cousin of yerba maté (ilex paraguariensis) from the Atlantic Rainforest in and around Argentina. Both are caffeinated rainforest holly trees, yet while mate has a strongly bitter flavor, guayusa has a nice smooth taste. Thankfully guayusa did not inherit the bitter gene like yerba maté. Instead, guayusa is silky and clean with a sweet finish, while providing similar benefits as maté.
Q: How much caffeine does one cup contain?
1 cup of guayusa has 90 mg of caffeine, which is more than other teas but less than coffee.
Q: Does guayusa actually have caffeine or a different stimulant?
Guayusa does have caffeine, but is also composed of other stimulating “methyl xanthine alkaloids,” theophyline, also found in green tea, and theobromine, the stimulant in dark chocolate that gives you that soothing, pleasant feeling. Therefore, guayusa is a unique stimulant, offering a balanced lift of energy.
Q: Where is the company based?
Our exotic Amazonian guayusa company is ironically headquartered in Brooklyn, NY. Runa also has two offices in Ecuador, one in Quito, and one in the Amazon. Our 20+ person team uses virtual communication technologies like Skype and Google to connect internationally on a daily basis. Though much of Runa’s work is mobile, the heart of the company is in face-to-face community work. Runa’s Amazon field team works directly with over 800 indigenous farmers, providing technical assistance, and harvesting shade-grown guayusa.
Q: Where is guayusa grown?
Guayusa is grown almost exclusively in the upper Amazonian region of Ecuador. It grows where the Andes Mountains meet the Amazon rainforest, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Guayusa is harvested from trees that are grown under the shaded canopy of the rainforest setting, giving local farmers an economic incentive to conserve the rainforest.
Q: What are the tea bags made out of?
Our pyramid infusers are 100% biodegradable and made from recycled cornhusks.
Q: Is guayusa organic certified?
Runa has completed USDA organic certification with its network of guayusa farmers in the Amazon. 100% of the other herbs we blend with are certified organic.
Q: Is guayusa Fair Trade certified?
Runa is currently working with TransFair USA to certify the supply chain we have built using Fair Trade standards. We expect the review and certification process will take another few months.