Guarana or Paullinia cupana, is a climbing plant of the Sapindaceae family, native to the Amazon basin and especially common in Brazil. Guarana has large leaves and bunches of flowers and is best known for its fruit seeds, which are the size of a coffee bean. It is known throughout Brazil for being a bright red fruit from a bush that can reach up to 10 meters high and is produced in the glorious lands of the north of the country. Its name has a regional etymology, as it was a plant widely used by the native tribes of that region. The color of the fruit varies from brown to red and contains black seeds that are partially covered by white aryls, the contrast of colors when the fruit is opened was compared with the appearance of the eyeballs and became the basis of a myth of origin among the Sateré-Mawé people.
As a dietary supplement or herb, guarana seed is an effective stimulant: it contains about twice the concentration of caffeine found in coffee seeds (about 2–4.5% caffeine in guarana seeds, compared to 1–2% for coffee seeds). The additive has gained notoriety for being used in energy drinks.
In South America, guarana is also used in desserts such as a complement to mousses, ice cream, cake and biscuits, for example. In some cases, it is used alongside the acai berry, giving it more flavor. In beverages, guarana is widely used adding the caffeine and taste to it.
We sell this ingredient as a Raw Powder form and Powder Extract. It can be standardized with Natural Caffeine from guarana.
CERTIFICATIONS FOR THIS PRODUCT
- Kosher
- Organic
- Non-GMO
- Non-Irradiated
- Vegan
- Non-ETO
- Gluten Free
