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Guayusa (pronounced «why-you-sa») is a tree from the Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest, closely related to mate (both belong to the genus Ilex in the holly family) but a species of its own: Ilex guayusa. Its leaves naturally contain caffeine, traces of theobromine and polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acids. The oldest known find is around 1,500 years old: bundled guayusa leaves from a tomb in the Bolivian highlands, dated to about 500 AD. The Kichwa traditionally drink guayusa tea before sunrise — families gather, share the infusion and interpret their dreams together. In WAYA, guayusa is infused together with cascara, the dried pulp of the coffee cherry. Sources: Schultes 1972; García-Ruiz et al. 2017; Kapp et al. 2016.

WAYA is a caffeinated soft drink made from Ecuadorian guayusa and cascara, bottled and quality-controlled in Switzerland. 330 ml can with 16 mg of natural caffeine per 100 ml and 23.5 kcal per 100 ml (78 kcal per can). Ingredients: water, guayusa-cascara infusion, beet sugar, carbon dioxide, citric acid. No artificial additives.

WAYA is a caffeinated soft drink — not a classic energy drink. Its caffeine comes from guayusa and cascara, not from added caffeine. At 16 mg per 100 ml, WAYA has half the caffeine of a classic energy drink (32 mg per 100 ml, EFSA reference value); a 330 ml can provides 52.8 mg. WAYA contains no artificial colours, flavours or preservatives, no taurine and no aspartame. With 5.7 g of sugar and 23.5 kcal per 100 ml (78 kcal per can), WAYA is well below many classic energy drinks.

WAYA sources guayusa through its partner Matchachin. According to Matchachin, it works with more than 50 Kichwa families and communities in Napo province and pays them considerably more than the regional trade price. Guayusa grows there in forest gardens (Chakras), alongside other crops and in the shade of large trees. The cans are fully recyclable.

Yes. WAYA contains only plant-based ingredients and water. The drink is vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free.

WAYA contains 16 mg of natural caffeine per 100 ml — that is 52.8 mg per 330 ml can. Per 100 ml that is half as much as a classic energy drink (32 mg), and per can about as much as a cup of black tea (EFSA reference values). High caffeine content: not recommended for children or pregnant or breast-feeding women.

In both cases the effect comes from caffeine. A can of WAYA provides 52.8 mg, a cup of filter coffee (200 ml) around 90 mg (EFSA reference value) — a little over half. Like coffee, guayusa contains polyphenols, mainly chlorogenic acids. WAYA also has fewer calories and less sugar than many sweetened coffee drinks.

No. WAYA is free from all 14 EU allergen categories — gluten-free, lactose-free, nut-free, soy-free and much more. WAYA is also vegan.

Store it in a cool, dark place. The best-before period is 12 months. WAYA tastes best well chilled — straight from the fridge.