Bulletproof tea with guayusa: a recipe for your morning
🌿 At a glance
- Guayusa instead of coffee: the naturally caffeinated base for your Bulletproof tea.
- One cup, 10–15 minutes: ingredient quantities and a step-by-step recipe.
- Make it your own: classic with butter or vegan with coconut oil.
1. Introduction: Your creamy morning ritual
Bulletproof tea with guayusa is a creamy tea alternative to butter coffee. Combine freshly brewed guayusa with a little butter or ghee and MCT or coconut oil. Froth briefly, add cinnamon if you like, and your warm morning ritual is ready. Here is a recipe for one cup, a vegan variation and tips for a smooth texture.
2. What is Bulletproof tea?
The idea is simple: tea replaces coffee as the base of a frothed drink with added fat. Butter or ghee adds a rich, creamy note, while the oil completes the mixture. Frothing disperses the fat through the tea, creating a texture reminiscent of an unsweetened latte, without the espresso.
Our version puts guayusa at the centre. Its leaves come from the Amazon region and naturally contain caffeine. Their botanical flavour works well with cinnamon, cocoa or vanilla. GUYA PURE is a good starting point: get to know the flavour of the leaves first, then adjust the recipe to your taste.
3. Bulletproof guayusa: a recipe for one cup
Makes: one cup of approximately 300 ml. Time: about 10–15 minutes, including steeping. You will need a tea infuser, a large heatproof mug and a milk frother suitable for warm drinks.
3.1. Ingredients
- 300 ml water
- 1 teaspoon GUYA PURE to start with; adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon unsalted butter or ghee
- ½–1 teaspoon MCT oil or coconut oil
- Optional: a pinch of cinnamon, unsweetened cocoa powder or a little vanilla
3.2. How to make your tea creamy
- Brew the guayusa: Put the leaves in an infuser, pour boiling water over them and steep for 5–10 minutes. Remove the infuser. Find more guidance in our article on guayusa steeping time and quantities.
- Allow to cool briefly: The tea should still be warm, but no longer boiling hot. Leave enough room in the mug for frothing.
- Add the other ingredients: Stir in the butter or ghee and the small amount of oil. Add any spices now, too.
- Froth: Keep the frother below the surface and work carefully until the ingredients combine. Follow your appliance's instructions. Never put hot liquid in a sealed shaker.
- Enjoy straight away: Drink your Bulletproof tea freshly made. If some fat separates after a while, stir or froth it again briefly.
4. Find your favourite variation
4.1. With cinnamon or cocoa
A pinch of cinnamon adds warmth to the flavour. Unsweetened cocoa gives it a chocolatey note. Start with a little and taste as you go: the guayusa should still come through. Neither variation needs added sugar.
4.2. A vegan version with coconut
Leave out the butter and ghee and use a small amount of coconut oil instead. The texture will be a little different, with a delicate coconut note. A splash of unsweetened plant-based milk makes a milder latte-style variation. Butter and ghee are dairy products and do not belong in the vegan version.
4.3. Trying MCT oil for the first time?
Start with a small amount. More oil does not automatically make a better drink, and larger amounts of MCT oil can cause digestive discomfort, as explained in the Cleveland Clinic's guide to MCT oil. Coconut oil and MCT oil are not the same product, either. For this recipe, choose the ingredient you enjoy and tolerate well.
5. Frequently asked questions about Bulletproof guayusa
Is Bulletproof tea caffeine-free?
No. Guayusa naturally contains caffeine; butter and oil do not remove it. Caffeine can increase alertness. If you are sensitive to it, account for your other caffeinated drinks and choose when to drink it accordingly. See EFSA's caffeine overview for background information.
Does this recipe fit intermittent fasting?
Butter and oil add calories. This is therefore not a calorie-free fasting drink. Enjoy it within your eating window if you want to avoid consuming energy during your fast.
Can Bulletproof guayusa replace breakfast?
A creamy drink is not automatically a balanced meal. Our recipe is a way to enjoy your morning, not a plan for skipping meals or losing weight.
Why does the oil float on top?
Fat and water separate again without a stable emulsion. Use less oil, froth thoroughly and drink the tea freshly made. A thin layer of fat appearing after a while is normal with this simple recipe.
6. Your morning. Your guayusa ritual.
Whether you enjoy it plain, with cinnamon or as creamy Bulletproof tea, guayusa leaves room to experiment. Start with the basic recipe and find the blend you look forward to every morning.
