Used in the Amazon as a caffeinated beverage, Guayusa is a member of the holly family that has been grown for thousands of years by the indigenous people. The leaves are harvested and dried to bring out the flavor and then made into tea. Guayusa has a caffeine content similar to green tea and a mild flavor, so it makes a delicious substitute for coffee or black tea. Vigorous and easy to grow, it does well in sun to partial shade and mild temperatures. When grown in a container, it becomes a beautiful shrub. If planted in the ground in tropical zones, it can reach 20-50’ tall or more.
