Cascara coffee-fruit tea: easy recipes for every day
Cascara tea made from the coffee cherry is easy to prepare! Our recipes and ways to make coffee cherry tea offer fruity enjoyment, an invigorating and healthy effect—hot or cold.
Contents
- Introduction: an easy guide to Cascara tea
- The basics: how to make Cascara tea
- Recipe ideas: creative ways to enjoy Cascara tea
- Tips for making the best Cascara tea
- Frequently asked questions about preparation
- Conclusion: Cascara tea for every day
1. Introduction: an easy guide to Cascara tea
Looking for a fruity tea with a little caffeine and health benefits? Then Cascara tea could be just right for you! This coffee cherry tea is made from the dried coffee husk, the skin of the coffee fruit. It brings the fruity-sweet flavour of the coffee cherry to your cup, with very little effort.
In this article, we’ll show you how to make Cascara tea and share some easy recipes for everyday enjoyment. Whether you serve it hot on a cold day or as iced tea in summer, Cascara is a versatile choice.
Find out more about the coffee cherry and its benefits in our main article on the coffee cherry, its effects, ingredients and origin.
2. The basics: how to make Cascara tea
Making Cascara tea is easy—you only need a few basic ingredients and a few minutes. Here’s everything you need to know.
2.1 What you’ll need
For a classic coffee cherry tea, you’ll need:
- 1–2 tsp Cascara
- 400 ml boiling water
- Optional: honey, cinnamon, orange peel or lemongrass
Tip: Use a teapot or one of our tea infusers to remove the coffee cherry easily once it has steeped.
2.2 Step-by-step instructions
Preparation:
- Bring the water to the boil. You can pour boiling water over the Cascara, or let the water cool to about 90 °C first. This brings out more of the fruity notes in the coffee husk.
- Put the Cascara in a teapot or a cup with a tea infuser.
- Pour the hot water over it and let the tea steep for 5–10 minutes—the longer it steeps, the more intense the flavour. Our Cascara tea does not turn bitter.
- Strain the Cascara and sweeten with honey if you like (it isn’t really necessary). For extra spice, add cinnamon or Ishpingo cinnamon leaves.
The tea has a fruity-sweet taste with a slight tea-like astringency—a refreshing drink for any day.
3. Recipe ideas: creative ways to enjoy Cascara tea
These recipes make Cascara tea a highlight, whether served hot, cold or in a smoothie.
Cascara tea is versatile and easy to customise. Here are three simple recipes to take your coffee cherry tea to the next level.
3.1 Hot Cascara tea with cinnamon
Ingredients:
- 1–2 tsp Cascara
- 400 ml boiling water
- ½ tsp Ishpingo cinnamon
- 1 tsp honey (optional)
Preparation: Bring the water to the boil. Put the Cascara and cinnamon in a teapot or one of our tea infusers, pour over the water and leave to steep for 8 minutes. Strain and sweeten with honey. Ishpingo cinnamon brings out the fruity sweetness and supports digestion.
3.2 Cascara iced tea with orange
Ingredients:
- 3 tsp Cascara (about 2 tbsp)
- 500 ml water
- 1 tsp orange peel
- Ice cubes
Preparation: Make the Cascara tea using the basic recipe, add the orange peel and leave it to steep for 10 minutes. Let it cool and serve with ice cubes. The orange adds freshness and a slightly bitter flavour—ideal for hot days! Add a little honey if it tastes too bitter. Amazonian oranges contain a lot of vitamin C, which strengthens the immune system.
3.3 Cascara tea smoothie
Ingredients:
- 200 ml cooled Cascara tea (made using the basic recipe)
- 1 banana
- 100 g frozen berries (for example, raspberries)
- 1 tsp honey
Preparation: Make the Cascara tea and let it cool. Blend the tea with the banana, berries and honey until smooth. The smoothie combines the tea’s fruity notes with a healthy lift.
4. Tips for making the best Cascara tea
To help your coffee cherry tea turn out well every time, here are a few practical tips:
- Water temperature: Use water at 90 °C to preserve the fruity aromas of the coffee husk—water that is too hot can overpower them.
- Steeping time: 5–10 minutes is ideal. A longer steep (up to 15 minutes) makes the tea more intense without turning it bitter.
- Combinations: Try lemongrass or guayusa for extra freshness or energy.
- Storage: Keep Cascara in an airtight container in a cool, dry place to preserve its aroma. Our zip-lock bags are airtight, preserve the aroma and provide a moisture barrier.
5. Frequently asked questions about preparation
Questions about making Cascara tea? Here are practical, straightforward answers to the most common ones.
❓ How much Cascara do I need for one cup of tea?
For one cup (400 ml), use 2 tsp of Cascara. See section 2.1 What you’ll need for more details.
❓ How long should coffee cherry tea steep?
5–10 minutes is ideal, but you can steep it for up to 15 minutes for a more intense flavour—it won’t turn bitter. See section 2.2 Step-by-step instructions in this article.
❓ Can I drink Cascara tea cold?
Yes, it’s refreshing as iced tea! Brew it hot, let it cool and serve it with ice cubes. Find out more in section 3.2 Cascara iced tea with orange.
❓ Which ingredients go well with Cascara tea?
Cinnamon, orange peel, lemongrass or guayusa add freshness and energy. Find out more in section 3. Recipe ideas.
❓ Where can I buy Cascara?
You can find Cascara in our online shop. Our transparency videos from Ecuador help you check that you’re not supporting monocultures or exploitative practices.
6. Conclusion: Cascara tea for every day
Cascara tea brings the fruity-sweet notes of the coffee cherry into your day—hot with cinnamon, chilled as iced tea or blended into a smoothie.
It’s easy to make, and the possibilities are endless.
Try Cascara tea—a healthy, fruity drink for any day!