Cascara- A Coffee Cherry Tea

from $6.00

Preparation | Loose Dried Coffee Cherries

TASTER’S NOTES | Golden Raisin | Very Sweet | Black Tea

SIZE | 100g (~2.8oz) (10-15 glasses of iced tea) | 1lb (45-60 glasses of tea)

Cascara is a tea made from the dried cherries of the coffee fruit. Unlike traditional leaf tea, cascara has natural sugars that provide sweetness to the drink without the addition of raw, cane sugar. Cascara’s unique flavors and body are a blend of traditional black tea and lightly roasted coffees with added sweetness. We find this Nicaraguan cascara to have a flavor similar to golden raisin with some saying a slight plum or fig taste with more body compared to tea. We find very little acidity or bitterness in this cascara, much less bitterness than a traditional black tea.

Being from the coffee plant, cascara has a higher caffeine content than traditional black tea yet still not nearly as much as coffee. When brewed using our brew guide, cascara has 4x less caffeine than black coffee but about 2x more than traditional tea.

Enjoy hot or cold using our brew guide below.

Sustainability note: Cascara is a very sustainable natural product that is normally disposed of or composted during coffee production. Instead of the nutritious and flavorful coffee cherry fruit being wasted, cascara gives it a second life as a unique beverage to be enjoyed. It also gives coffee farmers another product to export for much needed additional sources of funding. Thanks for trying this tea!

Size:

Preparation | Loose Dried Coffee Cherries

TASTER’S NOTES | Golden Raisin | Very Sweet | Black Tea

SIZE | 100g (~2.8oz) (10-15 glasses of iced tea) | 1lb (45-60 glasses of tea)

Cascara is a tea made from the dried cherries of the coffee fruit. Unlike traditional leaf tea, cascara has natural sugars that provide sweetness to the drink without the addition of raw, cane sugar. Cascara’s unique flavors and body are a blend of traditional black tea and lightly roasted coffees with added sweetness. We find this Nicaraguan cascara to have a flavor similar to golden raisin with some saying a slight plum or fig taste with more body compared to tea. We find very little acidity or bitterness in this cascara, much less bitterness than a traditional black tea.

Being from the coffee plant, cascara has a higher caffeine content than traditional black tea yet still not nearly as much as coffee. When brewed using our brew guide, cascara has 4x less caffeine than black coffee but about 2x more than traditional tea.

Enjoy hot or cold using our brew guide below.

Sustainability note: Cascara is a very sustainable natural product that is normally disposed of or composted during coffee production. Instead of the nutritious and flavorful coffee cherry fruit being wasted, cascara gives it a second life as a unique beverage to be enjoyed. It also gives coffee farmers another product to export for much needed additional sources of funding. Thanks for trying this tea!

Cascara - A coffee bean byproduct delight

Cascara is a unique coffee product that we enjoy showcasing and providing for both coffee and tea lovers. This year’s cascara offering comes from Nicaragua in the Matagalpa region.

Source image: wikipedia.org

Nicaragua Cascara

Nicaraguan Cascara: A Sustainable Coffee Byproduct and Additional Revenue for Coffee Farmers
Nicaraguan cascara, the dried husk of the coffee cherry, is an exceptional example of a sustainable coffee byproduct that has gained recognition in recent years. Formerly discarded as waste, cascara has now emerged as a valuable and tasty resource for coffee farmers, offering additional revenue streams and promoting increased sustainability within the coffee industry. By investing in cascara processing facilities and building partnerships with local cooperatives, coffee farmers in Nicaragua have found an ingenious way to capitalize on this traditionally discarded natural resource. By carefully drying, processing, and packaging cascara, farmers are now able to sell it as a standalone product, showcasing its rich fruity flavor and potential health benefits. This sustainable approach not only generates additional income for coffee farmers but also fosters greater economic stability within the coffee-growing communities, ultimately reinforcing the long-term sustainability of the entire industry. A unique beverage to enjoy combined with a higher standard of living for coffee farmers, a win-win for everyone!

Cascara superfood!
Cascara is packed with antioxidants and is commonly referred to as a superfood like acai. It is much lower in caffiene content than normal coffee so can be enjoyed nearly anytime of day.

 

Hot Cascara Brew Guide (1 cup)

  1. 10 grams of cascara

  2. 150 milliliters filtered or bottled water

  3. Heat water to 90C or 200F

  4. Steep for 6:00 minutes

  5. Filter as needed

  6. Adjust to your taste

Cold Cascara Brew Guide (concentrate)

  1. 100 grams of cascara

  2. 700-800ml of cool filtered or bottled water

  3. Mix cascara with water in French press

  4. Steep in refrigerator for 24 hours

  5. Plunge the French press but do not pack the cascara on the bottom

  6. Pour into serving carafe or mason jar. Concentrate will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

  7. Dilute to taste. We start with 1 part concentrate to 3 parts water for a refreshing iced tea.

Recipe Tips:

Traditionally served with a squeeze of lemon or mint leaf. We also enjoy a splash of simple syrup or granulated sugar for a sweet, refreshing drink! Don’t be afraid to cut the concentrate down quite a bit when preparing drinks, some like it much weaker than others. Try 1 part concentrate to 4-5 parts water for a traditional iced tea experience.