Cascara is also traditionally consumed as a tea in many coffee growing counties throughout the world, such as Yemen and Bolivia where it is dried, toasted and brewed with cinnamon.
Coffee is grown all over the world with the vast majority grown 20 degrees either side of the equator which is known as the coffee belt.
Farms range from a one man band, planting, maintaining, harvesting and processing the crop through to vast expanses of rolling farmland where heavy duty machinery is used to harvest the coffee.
A coffee tree can range in size and shape depending on the varietal of the fruit.
Some are barely above 1 metre high, while others tower above 4 metres.
A coffee tree usually has one but occasionally two harvests per year (some countries even have 3 per year) when the coffee fruit is picked from the tree.
A coffee cherry is normally red but can also be yellow and shades of orange.
The two seeds inside the cherry (which can sometimes be one seed and is referred to as a peaberry) is what we know as a coffee bean.
The two beans side by side at the core of the coffee cherry are covered in a layer of slimy mucilage which is protected by the red or yellow outer skin (cascara).
When coffee cherries are ripe, they are picked either by hand or machine.
The coffee is then processed in various methods such as washed, natural or honey.
Depending on the farm and the resources, some farmers use a nearby coffee mill to process their coffee. I
f the coffee is naturally processed the coffee sherry is laid out to dry on patios straight after it is picked.
At the wet mill the coffee cherry is stripped from the two seeds inside which will later have the mucilage removed before laid out to dry.
What is Cascara?
The coffee cherry (Cascara) is usually a bi-product of coffee farming.
Many of the farms that I have visited, collect the cascara and turn it into compost to use on the farm.
This can sometimes be an issue when it is overused as compost as the cascara has a high acidity level which can have a negative effect on the soil.
I have also seen cascara being used to make rum in Colombia and brewed fresh to make tea in various countries I have visited.
It is now however seen as a speciality product across the world and sold as a tea, although the classification of Cascara has become quite a hot topic over the last few years and is the reason why it was deemed illegal in EU countries.
Cascara was unknown to the EU before 1997 and the law stipulates that any novelty product that was unknown before this time must be deemed safe by food safety authorities.
There is currently an application to make cascara legal that should be approved later this year.
Although the most popular method of brewing Cascara is as a hot tea it technically isn’t a tea as it doesn’t originate from the tea plant.
It is now classified as a fruit herbal tea.
As you would imagine with any fruit tea the main flavour profile is fruit forward.
There are often notes of florals and it has a delicious sweet undertone.
The acidity can sometimes be a little sharp at the end of the brew but all together creates sweet and balanced fruit tea.
How Much Caffeine is in Cascara Tea?
Caffeine in any beverage is sometimes hard to quantify. It depends on the quality and ratio of the substance to water.
However, a study that was carried out by Square mile coffee roasters showed that the caffeine content of cascara is roughly around one fifth or 20% of brewed coffee.
Is Cascara Tea Good For You?
Cascara tea is packed full of antioxidants which are believed to prevent certain diseases.
The fairly low caffeine content can also be seen as a positive and can be consumed as an alternative to coffee.
Find out which coffee beans our team of industry professionals loved the most.
How Do You Make Cascara Tea?
Cascara is most popularly and in my opinion best brewed as a hot tea.
Hot Cascara Tea Method
Per 300ml cup you will need around 3 tablespoons (15g) of dried cascara.
Place the cascara in a tea strainer or french press.
Pour over 300ml of water straight from the boil.
Let the cascara steep for 5 minutes.
Strain or press and pour into your cup.
Iced cascara tea is also becoming very popular:
Iced Cascara Tea Method
Per 300ml cup you will need around 5 tablespoons (25g) of dried cascara.
Place 5 tablespoons of cascara in a tea strainer or french press.
Pour over 300ml of cold water
Let the tea steep overnight.
Strain or press and pour into a jug and then refrigerate for a couple of hours.
What is the Difference Between Cascara Coffee and Cascara Sagrada?
Cascara Coffee is the fruit outer layer of a coffee cherry that is often a byproduct of coffee farming but has recently been exported commercially as a dried tea product that is classified as fruit herbal tea.
Cascara coffee has a fairly low caffeine content and contains antioxidants.
Cascara Sagrada is a dried bark that was originally used by indeginous people in the Pacific NorthWest as a natural laxative but today is sold as a dietary supplement to relieve constipation.
If you live in the EU you will not be able to buy Cascara legally anymore although this should change very soon.
There are still some independent coffee shops selling Cascara, if you are lucky enough to know one.
Does cascara taste like coffee?
Cascara coffee doesn’t taste coffee at all.
Coffee gains many of its flavours via the processing and roasting of the coffee beans whereas cascara is just dried coffee fruit.
The taste is more comparable to certain fruit based teas.
Who should not take cascara?
While cascara is generally safe for most people to drink, there are a few groups of people who should avoid it or consume it in moderation.
Pregnant women and individuals who are sensitive to caffeine should avoid cascara or consume it in moderation as it contains caffeine.
Those with a history of cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure should also be cautious as caffeine can potentially exacerbate these conditions.
Additionally, people taking certain medications, such as stimulants, should consult with their doctor before consuming cascara.
It’s always best to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns or questions about your dietary choices.
What is cascara made from?
Cascara is a beverage made from the dried skins of coffee cherries, which are the fruit that surrounds the coffee bean.
Traditionally, the skin and pulp of the coffee cherry were seen as waste products after the coffee beans were removed, but cascara has become increasingly popular as a drink in recent years.
The dried cascara is often brewed like tea and has a fruity, slightly sweet flavor with notes of hibiscus, cherry, and citrus. It contains caffeine, but in lower amounts than coffee, making it a popular alternative for those looking for a milder caffeine boost.
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Each coffee subscription box contains 2 x 200g bags of world-class speciality coffee, carefully curated to showcase exceptional quality and flavour profiles.
Our coffee club features 2 different independent coffee roasters in each box.
Your first coffee subscription delivery includes a free flavour wheel and brew guide, providing essential tools to enhance your coffee club journey.
All coffee featured in our coffee subscription is ethically sourced and Fairtrade certified, supporting sustainable farming practices and fair compensation for growers worldwide.
Our coffee club uses completely compostable packaging, making your coffee club experience environmentally responsible whilst protecting the freshness and quality of your speciality coffee beans.
We Dispatch Every 2 Weeks. The next dispatch is highlighted in the purple announcement bar above.
If you can’t wait that long drop us an email via our contact form below and we’ll send you some coffee asap. You can find all past and future dispatch dates here
Which postal companies do you use for shipping? We use Royal Mail and occasionally other courier services such as DPD, Evri or UPS.
How much coffee is in a BATCH box? Each Batch box contains 2 bags of speciality coffee.
How much coffee is in each bag? Each bag of coffee contains 200g of coffee. You will receive 2 bags with each box so you can taste and compare between the two.
How is the coffee packaged? We are plastic-free. Our bags and boxes are fully made out of organic material and re both fully compostable.Learn more about our Coffee Packaging.
Is your coffee organic fair trade? All of the coffee that we use in our subscription boxes is fair trade (as every product should be). While some of the coffee that we use may not always be “certified” organic, we have seen first-hand many farms are in fact organic but cannot afford to pay for the certification.
Do you provide information about the farms and producers Yes! Each coffee subscription box includes detailed information about the coffee farms, the producers, and the regions where your coffee was grown. We believe in transparency and want you to know the story behind every cup you brew.
What happens if I don’t like one of the coffees in my box? We understand that taste preferences vary! If you’re not satisfied with a particular coffee, please get in touch with our customer service team via our contact page.
COFFEEQUIZ25 will give you 25% off your first box 😊
Discover the UK’s finest speciality coffees, curated by us – the coffee professionals. Each delivery is completely different so you sample two new coffees, roasters and flavours in every box.
Ethically sourced, world-class coffee in compostable packaging – it doesn’t get better than this!
3 BOX PACKAGE – £19.50 per box
6 BOX PACKAGE – £17.99 per box – (Most Popular)
12 BOX PACKAGE – £17.50 per box – (Best Value)
Each coffee subscription box contains 2 x 200g bags of world-class speciality coffee, carefully curated to showcase exceptional quality and flavour profiles.
Our coffee club features 2 different independent coffee roasters in each box.
Your first coffee subscription delivery includes a free flavour wheel and brew guide, providing essential tools to enhance your coffee club journey.
All coffee featured in our coffee subscription is ethically sourced and Fairtrade certified, supporting sustainable farming practices and fair compensation for growers worldwide.
Our coffee club uses completely compostable packaging, making your coffee club experience environmentally responsible whilst protecting the freshness and quality of your speciality coffee beans.
We Dispatch Every 2 Weeks. The next dispatch is highlighted in the purple announcement bar above.
If you can’t wait that long drop us an email via our contact form below and we’ll send you some coffee asap. You can find all past and future dispatch dates here
Which postal companies do you use for shipping? We use Royal Mail and occasionally other courier services such as DPD, Evri or UPS.
How much coffee is in a BATCH box? Each Batch box contains 2 bags of speciality coffee.
How much coffee is in each bag? Each bag of coffee contains 200g of coffee. You will receive 2 bags with each box so you can taste and compare between the two.
How is the coffee packaged? We are plastic-free. Our bags and boxes are fully made out of organic material and re both fully compostable.Learn more about our Coffee Packaging.
Is your coffee organic fair trade? All of the coffee that we use in our subscription boxes is fair trade (as every product should be). While some of the coffee that we use may not always be “certified” organic, we have seen first-hand many farms are in fact organic but cannot afford to pay for the certification.
Do you provide information about the farms and producers Yes! Each coffee subscription box includes detailed information about the coffee farms, the producers, and the regions where your coffee was grown. We believe in transparency and want you to know the story behind every cup you brew.
What happens if I don’t like one of the coffees in my box? We understand that taste preferences vary! If you’re not satisfied with a particular coffee, please get in touch with our customer service team via our contact page.
The Batch seasonal espresso blend is a great choice for home baristas seeking consistently and expertly roasted coffee beans.
These beans produce a well-balanced, full-bodied espresso that shines whether enjoyed black as an espresso or Americano, or when cutting through milk-based drinks with distinctive character.
Each coffee subscription box contains 2 x 200g bags of world-class speciality coffee, carefully curated to showcase exceptional quality and flavour profiles.
Our coffee club features 2 different independent coffee roasters in each box.
Your first coffee subscription delivery includes a free flavour wheel and brew guide, providing essential tools to enhance your coffee club journey.
All coffee featured in our coffee subscription is ethically sourced and Fairtrade certified, supporting sustainable farming practices and fair compensation for growers worldwide.
Our coffee club uses completely compostable packaging, making your coffee club experience environmentally responsible whilst protecting the freshness and quality of your speciality coffee beans.
We Dispatch Every 2 Weeks. The next dispatch is highlighted in the purple announcement bar above.
If you can’t wait that long drop us an email via our contact form below and we’ll send you some coffee asap. You can find all past and future dispatch dates here
Which postal companies do you use for shipping? We use Royal Mail and occasionally other courier services such as DPD, Evri or UPS.
How much coffee is in a BATCH box? Each Batch box contains 2 bags of speciality coffee.
How much coffee is in each bag? Each bag of coffee contains 200g of coffee. You will receive 2 bags with each box so you can taste and compare between the two.
How is the coffee packaged? We are plastic-free. Our bags and boxes are fully made out of organic material and re both fully compostable.Learn more about our Coffee Packaging.
Is your coffee organic fair trade? All of the coffee that we use in our subscription boxes is fair trade (as every product should be). While some of the coffee that we use may not always be “certified” organic, we have seen first-hand many farms are in fact organic but cannot afford to pay for the certification.
Do you provide information about the farms and producers Yes! Each coffee subscription box includes detailed information about the coffee farms, the producers, and the regions where your coffee was grown. We believe in transparency and want you to know the story behind every cup you brew.
What happens if I don’t like one of the coffees in my box? We understand that taste preferences vary! If you’re not satisfied with a particular coffee, please get in touch with our customer service team via our contact page.
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