What is cascara? A favourite drink of coffee and tea lovers
Shhh… Have you heard of cascara? Or the term coffee cherry tea? Qishr in Yemen, Sultana in Bolivia or Hatara in Ethiopia – all of these drinks have one thing in common: they are made from cascara, the dried skin and pulp of coffee cherries and they have been enjoyed in these countries for centuries. In Europe, it has only started becoming popular in recent years. So what is cascara and is it worth trying?
Cascara (from the Spanish word "cáscara", meaning husk) comes from the coffee plant, a green bush with white flowers – just like the world-famous coffee. Ripe coffee cherries – the fruits of the coffee plant – range in colour from yellow to red and dark red. Inside, they contain coffee beans, and once these are removed, they leave a skin and pulp full of antioxidants. Cascara is essentially the skin and the pulp of coffee cherries that are dried, either under the sun, in the shade or in a machine. For many years, cascara remained largely unknown in our region. However, thanks to its unique taste and many benefits, it gradually began to grow in popularity in numerous countries, offering local farmers an additional income.
In Europe, you can enjoy cascara in the form of a drink. Unlike loose leaf teas, dried cascara has a woody texture, reminiscent of nut shells. So what does cascara taste like? Its flavour leans more toward tea than coffee – with a fruity profile of rose hips, hibiscus or raspberries, complemented by gentle notes of citrus or tobacco. It contains natural caffeine, but in significantly smaller amounts than coffee. This gives you energy and at the same time allows you to enjoy it multiple times a day: either in the form of a hot drink or as a cold alternative.
Whether you’re a tea lover, a coffee enthusiast craving a new twist, or simply someone who loves trying new flavours, KOFFICHERRY cascara is the drink you definitely need to try. Browse our selection and choose from a variety of cascara teas, or try cascara syrup – perfect for making refreshing homemade iced tea or lemonade, (not just) on hot days.
The unique taste of cascara – or coffee cherry tea – is slowly starting to appear in coffee shops all around the world and its benefits are the subject of many studies. These highlight its rich amount of natural antioxidants, polyphenols, vitamins and minerals, which makes it beneficial in supporting immunity, anti-inflammatory activity in the body and many other processes. A huge advantage of consuming cascara is, last but not least, supporting the environment. How? Using cascara, a by-product of coffee, supports the zero-waste concept while also helping farmers in their efforts to grow high-quality organic coffee. Therefore, buying cascara lets you fully unlock the potential of the coffee plant.
Have you already tried cascara? Try our flavoured versions Cascara with cinnamon & ginger or a refreshing Cascara with lemongrass.