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Wellness Foods & Supplements 2/2021

  • Text
  • Harnischcom
  • Foods
  • Wellness
  • Ingredients
  • Supplements
  • Calcium
  • Guayusa
  • Pycnogenol
  • Collagen
  • Marine
  • Astaxanthin
  • Immune
  • Magnesium

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Natual energy Photo © : Waykana Ecuador Superfood from Ecuador Guayusa leaves: A natural source of energy from the Amazon The Amazon rain forest is the source of a very special energizer: guayusa, which comes from the leaves of the guayusa plant that the indigenous people of Ecuador, the Kichwa, traditionally use to make their energizing tea. The demand for guayusa tea is also growing here in Europe, whilst at the same time guayusa powder and extract are used in functional energy drinks, snacks and nutritional supplements. But what makes the superfood from Ecuador so special? What do its leaves contain? And what does guayusa taste like? The Import Promotion Desk (IPD), a project of Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is supporting producers from Ecuador in exporting guayusa from the Amazon to Europe. Ecuadorean pick-me-up Ilex guayusa is a holly bush that grows at high altitudes in the Amazon rain forest. Although guayusa is related to yerba mate, the two caffeinated holly plants are in fact different species. Guayusa has an established status in Amazonian culture: the indigenous people prize the stimulating tea, it is drunk at spiritual ceremonies and the leaves are used in traditional medicine. Ecuador is the world’s largest producer of guayusa leaves. The plants also grow in Bolivia and Peru, but in these countries the leaves are consumed mainly by locals and there is hardly any commercial production. With an average content of two percent, Guayusa leaves are highly caffeinated, but since the caffeine is released slowly and steadily, it is very well tolerated. The typical side effects of coffee, such as stomach pains, shaking and restlessness, are not present in guayusa. At the same time the energizing effect is longer-lasting and more 16 No. 2 August/September 2021

Natural energy Collaboration with small farmers The company Jumandipro-Waykana is a participant in the IPD programme. It works with 150 small Amazonian farmers in the rain forest to produce guayusa. Waykana pays its suppliers a wage that is 15 percent higher than the standard Fairtrade rate and enables small farmers from four provinces to earn additional income. According to the firm’s owners, they were inspired by their awareness of just how unique and valuable guayusa from their rain forest is and how it can contribute to finding emotional balance in life. Guayusa production Photo © : Waykana Ecuador sustained. Guayusa is reportedly not only invigorating and able to increase sharpness and attentiveness, but also to improve performance. Guayusa grows in the Amazon rain forest and has been traditionally gathered by the indigenous community. Nowadays it is also cultivated by the communities for commercial use and the small farmers pluck the leaves by hand. Small farmers pick the leaves by hand, sort them, and gently dry them in the open air or in drying facilities. After harvesting, the guayusa leaves are spread on a surface to undergo a leaf selection process. Then they are pre-dried and packed in bags. During the dehydration process, the leaves are dried using an industrial drying oven. This is followed by grinding, sieving and final bulk packaging. For more information, please visit www.importpromotiondesk.de In addition, guayusa is credited with many nutritional benefits: the leaves contain twice as many antioxidants as normal green tea and antioxidants protect human cells from free radicals. Moreover, the guayusa leaves are rich in amino acids, vitamins C and D and the minerals potassium, magnesium, calcium, zinc and chromium. “Guayusa producers in Ecuador are confident in their tea with centuries of history,” says Maria Paula Gomez, IPD Expert Sourcing + Markets. “They offer a natural product with unique characteristics, they pay attention to the originality of their tea and carefully check the quality. For Europeans, Guayusa offers a special drinking pleasure; for producers and indigenous people in the Amazon, it's an important source of income.” Mild taste The taste of guayusa is comparable to that of mate tea. Although it is similarly earthy with slightly tart notes, it is much milder and does not have the bitterness of coffee or tea since the tannins found in many teas are not present in guayusa leaves. Guayusa has a delightfully smooth, delicate and slightly sweet taste making its leaves suitable not only for tea but also for refreshing drinks, energy drinks and even alcoholic beverages like beers and liqueurs. Guayusa is also already used in snacks and chocolate. No. 2 August/September 2021 17

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