What is Cascara: Discovering the Unique Flavor & Benefits of Coffee Cherry Tea

What is cascara? It’s a tea-like beverage made from dried coffee cherry skins, known for its fruit-forward flavor and less common in the mainstream than its relative, coffee. This article will detail what cascara is, how it tastes, and how to enjoy it.

Key Takeaways

• Cascara is a sustainable tea made from dried coffee cherry skins, offering a fruity and sweet flavor that’s different from both coffee and traditional tea.
• The drink has a low caffeine content similar to green tea, about 25mg per cup, making it a gentler alternative for those watching their caffeine intake.
• Its versatility allows for both hot and cold brews, and it can be enhanced with additives like honey or cinnamon to suit personal tastes.

Unveiling Cascara: The Essence of Coffee Cherry Tea

Cascara, translated from Spanish to mean ‘husk’ or ‘shell’, is the dried skin of coffee cherries. It’s a unique beverage that stands apart from traditional teas and coffee, as it’s more akin to a fruit tisane. So, it’s neither coffee nor tea, but a distinct category of its own that offers a refreshing alternative to both. Remember, cascara is not the same as cascara sagrada, which is dried bark from the California buckthorn tree used for its laxative properties.

The preparation of cascara, or coffee cherry tea, involves a process akin to herbal tea infusion. This process brings out the fruity and sweet flavors that make this brew a delight to the senses. Whether you’re a tea lover seeking something different or a coffee enthusiast looking for a less robust option, cascara is worth exploring.

Nature's Byproduct Turned Delicacy

Coffee cherries, previously seen as waste, have been repurposed into cascara. This has not only offered an eco-friendly solution but also enriched the specialty coffee beverage industry with its distinctive flavor profile. The rise in cascara’s popularity underscores the importance of environmental sustainability and offers a unique taste experience to consumers, thanks to the use of dried coffee cherries. 

Today, cascara is more than just a beverage. Its versatility has led to unique preparations that cater to diverse consumer tastes, transforming this byproduct into a delicacy. From cafes to kitchens, cascara continues to charm with its unique flavor and eco-friendly nature.

Origins and Production: From Coffee Plant to Cascara

The production of cascara is executed with the same meticulousness as coffee bean cultivation. A significant focus is put on the sun-drying process of the coffee cherry’s skin and pulp, thus ensuring the flavors are preserved. The production of cascara tea starts with the separation of coffee seeds and fruit, followed by a rapid sun-drying process to produce the dried peel.

Modern methods to enhance cascara production have also been introduced. The use of vacuum machines to efficiently separate cascara from coffee parchment after hulling sun-dried natural process coffee cherries, a type of dried fruit, is one such example of coffee processing.

The rise of interest in cascara has led to coffee growers, like Aida Batlle in El Salvador, exporting their cascara tea products through international distributors, highlighting its growing importance in the coffee industry. This showcases its transition from a byproduct of coffee trees to a valued commodity.

The Global Journey of Cascara

Cascara has been consumed for centuries in countries like Yemen and Ethiopia, where the traditional preparation involves steeping the dried skins of coffee cherries with spices such as ginger, nutmeg, or cinnamon. The global journey of cascara didn’t stop there, though. South American coffee growers, particularly in El Salvador and Bolivia, have started to sell and export cascara, helping to broaden its presence on the international market.

Recent changes in European food safety regulations have further aided cascara’s commercial spread in the European Union. It’s not just Europe, though. There is a growing demand for cascara in the Asia Pacific region, and in North America, cascara is becoming increasingly popular, finding potential uses in cafes and commercial food products.

Sensory Experience: What Does Cascara Taste Like?

But what does this unique beverage taste like? Well, cascara, made from the coffee fruit, offers a flavor profile that is markedly different from coffee. It’s described as:

• sweet and fruity
• with floral notes that add to its charm
• predominantly fruity and floral
• with a richness comparable to black tea and dried fruits

Cascara tea exhibits a sweet, complex taste, including hints of rose hip, hibiscus, cherry, red currant, and mango. Occasionally, it even gives off a subtle undertone of tobacco. The flavor complexity of cascara can resemble a fizzy drink, with notes similar to cola, lemon, black tea, and dried fruits like raisins, apricots, and cranberries. As for cascara tastes, they can vary depending on the origin and processing of the coffee cherries.

This unique blend of flavors makes cascara a fascinating drink that’s bound to intrigue your taste buds. It’s a sensory experience that you won’t forget and will probably find yourself coming back for more.

A Gentle Caffeine Embrace: Cascara's Caffeine Content

Cascara, made from dried coffee beans, presents a compelling alternative for those conscious of their caffeine consumption. It contains around 25mg of caffeine per cup, which is roughly a quarter of the caffeine content of a cup of brewed coffee and is comparable to the caffeine content of green tea. This low caffeine content offers a gentler caffeine experience for consumers, making it an ideal beverage for those seeking a milder boost.

But don’t worry, the caffeine content in your cascara tea is not solely dependent on the brewing time. Variations in caffeine content can occur, depending on the specific ratio of cascara to water used when brewing the tea. This means you can adjust the strength of your brew without significantly altering the caffeine levels.

Brewing the Perfect Cup: How to Prepare Cascara Tea

Given your newfound fascination with cascara, you may want to know how to brew it. Generally, a good starting point is a ratio of around 5g of cascara per 100ml of water. Here’s a step-by-step guide to brewing cascara:

1. Steep 18 grams of cascara in 250 grams of water.
2. Heat the water to 93 degrees Celsius.
3. Let the cascara steep in the hot water for approximately 4 to 10-12 minutes.
4. After steeping, strain the liquid to separate the brewed cascara from the water.
5. Enjoy your hot cascara brew!

If you prefer a cold brew, here’s how to make it:

1. Use 35 grams of cascara per 250 grams of water.
2. Allow it to steep in the refrigerator for 24 hours.
3. Strain the tea before serving over ice for a refreshing summer drink.

Customizing Your Cascara Brew

One of the appealing aspects of cascara is its accessibility to customization according to your preference. Natural additives like honey and cinnamon often pair well with cascara, enhancing its flavor.

Apart from the traditional hot tea, cascara can be customized into a refreshing cold brew, served iced for a different tasting experience. This versatility allows you to enjoy cascara in different ways, each offering a unique taste experience.

Cascara in Saudi Arabia: Where to Find and Purchase

If you’re in Saudi Arabia and wondering where to find this unique beverage, it’s easier than you think. The good news is, cascara is accessible for purchase through Qavashop, making it easy for you to try this unique beverage at home.

Cascara's Healthful Harvest: Exploring the Benefits

Apart from being flavorful, cascara also boasts numerous health benefits. For instance, it’s rich in antioxidants, known for preventing cell damage and supporting overall wellness. The phenolic compounds found in cascara exhibit anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic properties, potentially offering protective health benefits. So, not only does it taste good, but it also does good to your body.

Summary

To sum it up, cascara is a unique beverage that offers a delightful break from your traditional tea or coffee. Made from the dried skins of coffee cherries, it’s an eco-friendly solution that enriches the specialty beverage industry with its distinctive taste.

With its global spread, cascara is now accessible in many parts of the world, including Saudi Arabia. It’s a versatile drink that can be brewed hot or cold, customized with your favorite additives, and enjoyed at any time of the day. Plus, its low caffeine content and health benefits make it an appealing choice for anyone looking for a healthier beverage option.

So, if you’re ready to explore something new, why not give cascara a try? Its unique flavors, health benefits, and the joy of brewing it might just make it your new favorite beverage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cascara?

Cascara is a unique beverage made from the dried skins of coffee cherries, providing a fruity and sweet flavor that offers a refreshing alternative to traditional tea or coffee.

How is Cascara produced?

Cascara is produced through meticulous sun-drying of coffee cherry skins, with modern methods incorporating vacuum machines to enhance the process. This helps bring out the unique flavors and qualities of cascara.

How does Cascara taste?

Cascara tea has a sweet, fruity, and floral flavor with notes of rose hip, hibiscus, cherry, red currant, and mango. You might also pick up an occasional hint of tobacco.

Does Cascara contain caffeine?

Yes, Cascara does contain caffeine, with around 25mg per cup, which is about a quarter of the caffeine in a cup of brewed coffee.

Where can I buy Cascara in Saudi Arabia?

You can buy Cascara in Saudi Arabia through qavashop.com