FAQ’S
Frequently Asked Questions
Certifications
Yes, our Guayusa is certified USDA and EU organic. Our Cinnamon and Anise Myrtle are grown locally in the Byron Shire using organic farming practices.
At Ayusa we have collaborated with suppliers who pay the Kichwa farmers 15% above fair-trade wage. We believe that sustainability involves more than looking after the planet – it’s for looking after people, too.
Our Guayusa is Certified Kosher in Ecuador with a Kashrut Certificate
Yes, all Ayusa products are non-GMO and grown using sustainable Agroforestry farming practices.
Yes! Ayusa Tea is Vegan friendly.
Ayusa Teas have undergone rigorous testing by laboratories here in Australia for detection of heavy metals, pesticides, fungus, mould and other nasties. Certificate of Analysis are available upon request.
Product
Guayusa is safe to consume and is not associated with any adverse effects. Although, just like any drink with caffeine, there can be too much of a good thing! We recommend drinking it in moderation.
Yes, you can enjoy Guayusa tea hot or cold. It’s perfect with some ice and a dash of honey or lemon on a warm summer’s day.
For loose-leaf tea, we recommend adding one teaspoon per teapot and leaving it to brew for 7 minutes. For tea bags, we recommend using one bag per mug and leaving it to brew for 2 – 3 minutes. Then sit back, relax, and unleash your potential with this Amazonian super leaf.
Polyphenols are a type of antioxidant that helps protect the body against oxidative stress. This protective effect is essential to healthy aging and helps reduce the risks of various forms of illness. Guayusa is a potent source of antioxidants. Its quantity found in brewed Guayusa is only surpassed by raw cacao powder!
Native to the Ecuadorian Amazon, Guayusa is a super leaf rich in caffeine and antioxidants that offers a healthy alternative to traditional sources of caffeine. Its unique biological makeup of caffeine and polyphenols allows the brewed guayusa leaf to provide sustained energy, mental clarity, and focus without causing jitters or post-coffee crashes. Used as a key ingredient, Guayusa offers as much caffeine as coffee and double the antioxidants of green tea per serving, with an earthy, slightly sweet, and smooth flavour of the Amazon rainforest.
L-Theanine (another compound naturally present in the guayusa leaf) is a type of amino acid that protects and repairs the brain and promotes relaxation. When combined with caffeine, it counteracts the jitters and increased heart rate often associated with caffeine, so you can enjoy a smooth energy lift without a crash.
Guayusa is grown almost exclusively in the upper Amazon region of Ecuador, where the Andes Mountains meet the Amazon rainforest. This area is known to be one of the most biodiverse regions in the world.
You could say it’s the best-kept secret of the Amazon Rainforest! In the western world, we’re a little late to the party – so it’s our mission at Ayusa Tea to share the benefits with the world.
Ayusa Guayusa is source from the Tena Canton of Ecuador (about 200 kms South-East of Quito). All our Guayusa is grown on sustainable Agroforestry (Syntropic) farms by family farmers.
No flavours are added to our range of teas. Guayusa Pure has a smooth, clean, slightly sweet flavour similar to green tea but with no bitter aftertaste. Guayusa Cinnamon Myrtle has an earthy, well bodied flavour with slight cinnamon aroma. Guayusa Anise Myrtle is much sweeter and delicate on the palate with a strong liquorice aroma and slight liquorice taste.
Ayusa Tea will keep for a very long time if stored in a dry cool place out of direct sunlight.
Sustainability
Yes! – Our Pyramid Tea Bags are home compostable with no glues, micro-plastics and are bleach-free – and you won’t find any of those pesky staples. – Our Cylinders are made from sustainably sourced, recyclable materials. – Our Sample Pouches are recyclable.
Our commitment is to “Consciencia Amazonia” – a foundation that educates students and businesses on the importance of preserving the rich biodiversity of the region. This foundation empowers the local community to care about the world which we inhabit. It shares the benefits of eco-sustainable farming for future generations.
Our tea bags are Biodegradable Soilon, we are aware of recent concerns circulating regarding the leachate contamination by microplastics being released by tea bags.
As a health conscious business owner, we aim to source the highest quality tea products and implement stringent quality controls in our warehouse. When we began looking into bagging teas, we were extremely careful about the materials we selected.
Ayusa Tea spent months doing extensive research into the tea bag materials being used around the world and we are aware of the issues around contamination. We discovered that nylon or polyethylene terephthalate bags, which are petroleum based, non-biodegradable plastics, were releasing concerning amounts of microparticles and nanoparticles into tea when brewed in water at higher temperatures.
As a result of our findings, we managed to source a safe product and solution to the contamination problem. Yamanaka Industry Co, Ltd has created a material called Soilon™. It is composed of bio-based, non-oil based biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) derived from plants. We are proud to have been using this product for our tea bags and we believe this type of fabric should be industry standard.
Health
Guayusa contains caffeine, albeit in smaller doses than a cup of coffee. Please take the same precautions you would as if it were coffee you are consuming.
For neurological caffeine sensitivity, Ayusa Tea will not be appropriate. For physiological caffeine sensitivity, it will be best to try out our sample pack as each person’s situation will be different.
All Ayusa Guayusa products contain caffeine.
No allergens are present in Ayusa Guayusa Teas. The only consideration would be if you are caffeine sensitive, then Ayusa Tea would not be suitable for you.
Customer Service
Our customer service team are at their desks Monday to Friday from 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM, except on public holidays. You can reach us via our contact us page here.
We would love nothing more. Please fill out our wholesale application form here, and we will get in touch with you.
Dispatch from your online order generally takes between 1-3 business days, from the time you place your online order.
*Please note that dispatch timeframes do not include public holidays or weekends. Also, sale and promotional periods may extend dispatch times.
We ship all orders with Australia Post, here are the following estimates for delivery within Australia.
Domestic shipping timeframes:
Standard: 3 to 5 business days.
Express: 1 to 3 business days.
To better understand deliveries & shipping, check out our shipping policy here.
If your delivery time has passed the estimated timeframe, please get in touch with our Customer Care team here.
All domestic orders over $100 are free for standard shipping.
Standard shipping — 3 to 5 business days — $12.00 & ($3 for samples)
Express shipping — 1 to 3 business days — $15.00 & ($5 for Samples)
To better understand deliveries & shipping, check out our shipping policy here.