Yoco (Paullinia yoco)

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

Yoco, Paullinia yoco, is a tropical vine with stems growing up to 12cm in diameter. It can be found in South America. The sap obtained from the bark contain 2.73% caffeine and is used as a stimulating breakfast beverage. It is also taken medicinally against fever, nausea, and vomiting.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Shoots, Sap/Syrup, Bark/Inner Bark

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Spring, Winter

Flavor & Culinary Uses

The softer tissues of the bark, stems and wood are used to extract the white or brownish sap which has been shown to contain 2.73% caffeine. — The softer tissues of the bark, stems and wood are used to extract the white or brownish sap which has been shown to contain 2.73% caffeine.; The native people in adjacent Colombia regularly used this product as a stimulating breakfast beverage.; The stem is cut into pieces 30 - 100cm long, and the epidermis, cortex, and phloem are rasped.; The scrapings thus obtained are squeezed to express the caffein-bearing sap into cold water (hot or warm water is never used with yoco), the rasped tissues being then discarded.

Habitat & North American Range

Not known. (Zone 10)