What is Coffee Cherry Tea?

Coffee Cherry Tea also known as 'Cascara' - translated from Spanish meaning ‘husk’ or ‘peel’ (coffee cherry skins in English). Cascara must not be confused with the herbal plant with a similar first name, Cascara Sagrada (Chittem Bark), which is completely different and has natural laxative properties when consumed. Coffee cherry skins are the by-product of the coffee beans after they have been removed from their red skins and dried in the sun, much like raisins. In the past, these skins were usually placed in compost or thrown away during harvest because it was believed to ruin the taste of coffee. However, for centuries 'Cascara' has been brewed in Yemen and Ethiopia before coffee beans were even used as a drink. Recently, this alternative sounding exotic drink has made a big move onto the U.S. market in various forms including everything from beauty products, tea infusions, enhanced waters, sports drinks, sodas, to vodka infusions and other alcoholic beverages.

 

What does it taste like?

Although it is derived from the coffee plant, it is generally agreed that Coffee Cherry Tea is a drink that sits somewhere between coffee and tea. It should be noted that it does not taste like coffee nor does it contain its high caffeine content. The caffeine content is actually fairly low, even at the strongest, longest brew, the caffeine content of Coffee Cherry Tea is around a quarter of that you would get in brewed coffee, and has approximately half the caffeine content of an average cup of black tea.  Coffee Cherry Tea comes in an interesting range of flavors depending on the origin of the Coffee Cherry skins - ranging from sweet, subtle, earthy, to rich, warm, robust and nutty. Its undertones have a fruity flavor with hints of raspberry, red mulberry, currant, cranberry, and cherry. Although a delicious refreshing drink on its own, we think it is particularly tasty with added ingredients such as cinnamon, ginger, lemon or honey.

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Health Benefits of Coffee Cherry Tea

Due to its high concentration of polyphenols, Coffee Cherry Tea is a true superfood. It may help boost your immune system, provide antioxidants thus protecting you from free radicals, and offer you a host of anti-inflammatory properties. With extensive research over a decade, FutureCeuticals, has also discovered that Coffee Cherry Tea produces BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotropic Factor), a protein essential for maintaining healthy cognition, and other brain-related processes such as mood and sleep.