Guarana (Paullinia cupana)

Family: Sapindaceae | Edibility: Choice Edible (4/5)

Native to the Amazon, Paullinia cupana or commonly known as Guarana is an evergreen climbing shrub growing about 13m in height. It has large leaves with five leaflets each leaf, and clusters of small, white flowers. The fruits are small, bright red, and splits open when ripe. Guarana is known for its large and black seeds, which contain high concentration of caffeine.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds

Harvest Seasons: Fall, Late Summer

Flavor & Culinary Uses

rich in caffeine. — The roasted and pounded seed is made into a paste which is then used to make a stimulating beverage that is rich in caffeine.; The sweetened paste, called Brazilian chocolate, is used in soft drinks, candy etc.; The seeds contain 2.7 - 7% caffeine as well as the stimulants theophylline and theobromine.; The seeds contain up to 7% of a caffeine-like compound known as guaranine, which is not addictive and takes longer to be metabolized, giving it a gentler, more sustained stimulating effect.

Habitat & North American Range

Tropical rainforest at elevations up to 800 metres. (Zone 10)