Spilling the Tea on Cascara

You're a coffee lover, right? You know those amazing beans that give you that morning jolt? Well, guess what? They come from a fruit – a little cherry! And for ages, people in coffee-growing regions have been using the dried skins of these cherries to make a delicious drink called cascara.

We get our cascara from a grower in Nicaragua. "Cascara 'tea' is made from the dried coffee cherry skin or husk (cascara means 'husk' in Spanish). We process the coffee fruit in the natural (dry) method which allows the whole fruit to dry together, preserving all of the fruit's sweet and complex flavors. Once dried, we let the whole fruit rest for a month and then we carefully separate the cascara from the coffee seeds/beans. The cascara is then aged for at least six months allowing the concentrated natural sugars, vitamins and antioxidants to create a delicious 'tea' beverage hot or cold. This tea has caffeine level comparable to black tea."

So, what does this coffee cherry tea actually taste like? You might get notes of rose hip, hibiscus, maybe even a little bit of sweetness like raisin or cherry. It really depends on where the coffee cherries came from and how they were dried. Each batch can be a little adventure for your taste buds.

Alright, let's break down the awesome perks of cascara:

• Gentle Energy Boost: Get a little pick-me-up without the jitters or the late-night buzz you might get from regular coffee. It's usually lower in caffeine, making it a great alternative.
• Delicious and Unique Flavor: Say goodbye to boring tea! Cascara offers a fruity and often sweet taste, with hints of rose hip, hibiscus, cherry, or raisin. Each batch can be a fun flavor adventure.
• Embrace the Whole Fruit: Instead of just using the bean, cascara lets you enjoy another delicious part of the coffee cherry – the skin! This means less waste and a more complete use of the harvest.
• Versatile Drink: Whether you're craving a warm and comforting mug of tea or a refreshing iced beverage, cascara has you covered. You can brew it hot or cold!
• Creative Culinary Uses: Get fancy and turn cascara into syrups for cocktails, sparkling water, or even desserts. It adds a unique fruity twist to your creations.
• Something New to Explore: If you're a tea or coffee enthusiast looking to expand your horizons, cascara offers a whole new flavor profile and a different way to experience the coffee plant.
• Naturally Sweet (Sometimes!): Depending on the processing, cascara can have a natural sweetness, meaning you might not even need to add any extra sugar.
• Packed with Potential Goodness: Like many fruit-based teas, cascara is thought to contain antioxidants, which are good for your overall health.

So, basically, cascara is tasty, good for the planet, and offers a cool alternative to your usual tea or coffee routine. What's not to love?

As luck would have it, Rare Breed sells cascara, under the name Power Trip! Add it to your cart now!

Honestly, if you're a fan of tea or even just curious about the world of coffee beyond the bean, you've gotta give cascara a try. It's a unique, flavorful, and sustainable way to enjoy another side of the coffee plant. Who knew those little cherry skins held such a delicious secret?

We wrote a brew guide just for cascara. So go on, get brewing!