Questions Answered

Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is a naturally caffeinated holly tree native to the Ecuadorian Amazon. It has been cultivated and consumed by indigenous Amazonian peoples for over 2,000 years, traditionally brewed as a morning drink for sustained energy, focus, and community ritual.

It contains caffeine, L-Theanine, theobromine, and an exceptionally high antioxidant content — making it one of the most compound-rich natural drinks available.

Guayusa has a smooth, clean flavour — naturally sweet with a mild earthy depth, and none of the bitterness you get from coffee. There's no astringency, even if you leave it to steep a little longer than planned.

It's approachable for people who don't usually enjoy herbal teas, and satisfying for those who want something more interesting than standard tea.

A single cup of HOJA contains approximately 80mg of natural caffeine — comparable to a standard espresso or a strong cup of coffee. However, because guayusa also contains L-Theanine and theobromine, the caffeine is delivered more gradually and smoothly than coffee.

The result is sustained, focused energy without the spike, jitters, or crash that coffee often causes.

No — though both are caffeinated plants from South America, they are different species with different flavour profiles and compound makeups. Yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis) is known for its strong, bitter, sometimes smoky taste and can cause digestive discomfort for some people.

Guayusa is smoother, naturally sweeter, and gentler on the stomach. It also contains more L-Theanine than mate, which contributes to its calmer, more focused energy effect.

No. HOJA is single-ingredient — pure guayusa leaf, nothing else. No flavourings, no blends, no additives, no preservatives. The leaf is interesting enough on its own.

Brewing is simple. Place one tea bag in a mug and pour freshly boiled water over it. Steep for 3–5 minutes depending on how strong you like it. Remove the bag and drink as is — no milk needed, though it works well with oat milk if you prefer.

Guayusa won't turn bitter if you over-steep, so there's no need to watch the clock too carefully.

Yes. Guayusa has been consumed daily by Amazonian communities for thousands of years. For most healthy adults, 1–3 cups per day is well within normal caffeine guidelines.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, sensitive to caffeine, or taking medication, we recommend speaking to your doctor before adding guayusa to your routine — as you would with any caffeinated drink.

The crash associated with coffee comes from a rapid spike in caffeine followed by an equally sharp drop. Guayusa's combination of caffeine, L-Theanine, and theobromine changes how the caffeine is absorbed and experienced.

L-Theanine moderates the stimulant effect, promoting calm focus rather than sharp alertness. Theobromine provides a longer, gentler uplift. Together, they smooth the curve — energy rises gradually and fades gradually, without a hard drop.

We'd suggest treating HOJA the same way you would coffee when it comes to timing — most people are best stopping caffeine intake by early afternoon to avoid disrupting sleep. With around 80mg per cup, an evening brew may affect your sleep quality depending on your sensitivity.

That said, everyone metabolises caffeine differently. If you're generally unaffected by late coffee, you may find the same applies here.

Yes — completely. HOJA is a single plant-based ingredient with no animal products involved at any stage of production, processing, or packaging.

Every leaf in HOJA comes from Napo Province in the Ecuadorian Amazon — a single, specific region. It is sourced from 60 indigenous Kichwa families who grow guayusa within natural forest gardens alongside native plants and trees.

It is single-origin in the truest sense: one leaf, one region, traceable to the families who grew it.

Yes. Our tea bags are made from recycled biodegradable paper with no plastic lining, no synthetic glue, and no microplastics of any kind. The whole bag — paper, string, and tag — can go straight into your compost or food waste bin after use.

Many conventional tea bags are heat-sealed with plastic polymers, which means microplastics enter your cup with every brew. We think that's unacceptable, so we don't do it.

Guayusa grows within natural forest gardens — not cleared farmland. The Kichwa families who grow it earn fair income from their forests without needing to clear them for agriculture. This makes forest preservation economically viable, which is the most durable form of protection the Amazon has.

By contrast, conventional agricultural products — from palm oil to beef — are among the leading drivers of Amazon deforestation. HOJA exists within a model that actively runs counter to that.

Yes — deliberately so. When an order is placed, our supplier visits all 60 families in person and divides the required weight equally among them. No single family carries a disproportionate burden, and every family shares equally in the income from every order.

HOJA comes in two sizes: a 25-bag box and a 40-bag box. Both are available as a one-time purchase or as a subscription (delivered every 4 weeks) at a 15% discount.

Yes — free UK delivery on all orders over £30. Orders below that threshold will have a standard shipping cost applied at checkout.

UK orders typically arrive within 2–4 working days of dispatch. You will receive a confirmation email with tracking information once your order has been shipped.

If your order hasn't arrived within 7 working days, please get in touch at sales@drink-hoja.co.uk and we'll look into it.

Yes. If you're not happy with your order for any reason, contact us within 30 days of receiving it at sales@drink-hoja.co.uk and we'll arrange a return or refund.

For hygiene reasons, we can only accept returns of unopened boxes.

When you choose Subscribe & Save at checkout, your chosen box is delivered automatically every 4 weeks at a 15% discount on the standard price. You'll receive an email reminder before each renewal so you always know when your next box is coming.

Simply email us at sales@drink-hoja.co.uk with your order number and we'll cancel it straight away. There are no fees, no penalties, and no minimum term — cancel whenever you like.

We aim to respond to all cancellation requests within one working day.

Yes — just email us at sales@drink-hoja.co.uk and let us know how long you'd like to pause for. We'll hold your subscription and resume it when you're ready.

Yes. Email us at sales@drink-hoja.co.uk with your order number and the size you'd like to switch to, and we'll update it before your next renewal.