Why-you-suh…let’s say that together…Why-You-Suh. Guayusa or Ilex guayusa is one of three caffeinated holly trees known in the world. The other two are its more popular cousin, Yerba Mate (Ilex paraguariensis) and Yaupon Holly (Ilex vomitoria). The evergreen, holly-leafed tree originates and almost exclusively grows in the Ecuadorian Amazon Rainforest. But they can also be found in Peru and Colombia. Guayusa is harvested from trees that grow under shaded canopies. These trees can grow up to nearly 100 feet and live to be over 100 years old.

Although guayusa is not related to the Camellia Sinesis plant, the evergreen shrub that produces tea, guayusa leaves are similarly picked, dried and brewed for drinking. Over the years, guayusa was used as an energy lift because in addition to its caffeine content, it contains stimulants such as methyl xanthine alkaloids, theophyline, and theobromine.

Guayusa travels back to a history of cultural heritage by indigenous tribes in Ecuador. The Jivaro community nicknamed guayusa, “Night Watchman” because they believed it keeps you awake. Even while asleep, you are aware of your surroundings. Everyday the Jivaro woke up early in the morning to boil a pot of guayusa leaves, which they drank while telling stories. This tradition strengthened their kinship with each other and cultivated their relationships. The Jivaro also believed guayusa caused hypnotic effects that induced lucid dreams, which foretold the successfulness of hunting expeditions.

A prominent myth illustrates how the Kichwa people chewed on the guayusa leaves to be energized and strengthened, so they would stop being lazy and tired. Ages ago, the Amazon rainforests were over-populated with native tribes. People were always tired and unproductive. One day, a man traveled into the forest and fell asleep next to a tree. Legends say the guayusa tree spoke to him, telling him to eat the leaves. The man listened to the tree, and immediately, he was full of energy, strong and rejuvenated. This experience was passed down throughout the tribe, and eventually this began a tradition of chewing and later drinking guayusa for energy and strength.

I had my first cup of guayusa a few days ago. The beautiful honey hue it created smelled of vibrant earthy tones. It was like a freshly cut lawn on a spring morning after an evening of rain. I could taste the “awakening” almost immediately. The bold caffeine-content was subtle, almost comforting on my palate. It offered rich layers that soothed my throat and soon my entire body.

In addition to Art of Tea’s guayusa, try one of their newest blends also containing guayusa called Happy Tea. This organic certified tea combines guayusa, strawberries, green rooibos, apple bits, Jasmine green tea, hibiscus, rosehips and natural flavors to awaken you. Enjoy the smooth yet mild taste of the guayusa gently paired with the fragrance of sweetness.

- Melissa Chua

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Tea is wonderful, however it’s enjoyed, and I think there is special pleasure in enjoying tea from a handmade clay cup which has been thrown on a potter’s wheel.  When you drink tea from such a cup, it’s easy to feel the revolving energy which created it. And for each of us, as with the ball of wet clay that becomes a vessel, the challenge is to become centered as the wheel whirls and spins.

The feeling of turning, turning is upon us. Fall is officially here. It is a time of harvest and celebration, and our table is heaped with ripeness and abundance. Then, there is emptiness.

If you’ve ever lived or worked on a farm, or even picked apples or grapes in an orchard or vineyard as a fun family outing, you know this feeling of stillness when all of the fruit has been gathered. The spaces which are created invite gratitude, and contemplation.

The same feeling is also in our cities and towns this time of year. Trees drop their leaves, and we see more sky, even in the middle of Seattle, London, or LA. Looking up, birds migrate in patterns across the new openings. These openings are opportunities for renewal in ourselves, as the old year releases us and a new year begins.

Speaking as someone whose life and work depends intimately upon the renewal of plants, this is just one of the many lessons that the natural world offers. By releasing old patterns, we make space for new growth. Renewal requires this letting go of the old.

With this is mind, you may find inspiration in steeping a pot of tea with a friend, and pouring out your intentions for the new cycle, the new year.

What old patterns would you like to release?

What debris can you clear, in order to make room for more prolific flowering?

What would you intend to “turn around” in your life?

Art of Tea’s “Feel Better Blend” is a customer favorite for letting go of stagnation. This signature blend brings together Ayurvedic and Western herbs. The twist of bracing, autumnal zest and spice— including Organic Fennel, Orange Peel, Licorice, Cinnamon, and even a bit of heat from Chili Pepper—may inspire you to view Fall as a time of new beginnings.

Muse of the Brew, Student of the Leaf

I’m not an elitist, a purist, an expert, a tea-snob, or a know-it-all. I am a beginner, and a tea-adventurer.

Tea often speaks of the kindness of strangers, when spoken language will not suffice. Tea transcends expectations. In an ancient gesture of welcome, a cup of hot tea offered on a desert-journey refreshes and, surprisingly, cools, like a floral oasis. Mine was poured from a dented aluminum kettle carried by camel-pack, sipped in silence as we crouched on hard-baked earth that held its heat although the equatorial moon burned full above us.

Many degrees north and east, I have shivered and clasped a tea-bowl with both hands while a storm raged up and down the mountain, wind rattling the corrugated tin roof like a hungry ghost. My hosts chuckled at me through the veil of steam rising from our cups, their children dozing blissfully in our laps, wrapped in skins.

Imagine my amazement not long ago when I encountered the seemingly normal couple with no teapot. Prosperous retirees in a sleek, designer-y home on the northern California coast, filled with books and art. No teapot, no tea-kettle, no tea. Not even a random no-name teabag pinched from hotel room-service on a business trip. No, they were not zealots, who consider tea (perhaps correctly) as medicine. For the first time, I knew that I was amongst savages. I found it terrifying.

What I love about tea is its mystery. There is always an element of surprise when I raise a cup of tea, even if it is one of my favorites. Like wine, tea is dynamic and volatile. Its chemical composition evolves and changes. Even in a proper airtight tin, tucked away from light, it will not last forever. Speaking as a novice, my advice: enjoy it now.

There is no time like the present, starting with October, to enjoy “Tea for Her”, if you’re a gal. If you’re not, well, it couldn’t hurt, but Art of Tea also makes manly blends for dudes.

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It’s the perfect time to schedule that squeeze-fest known as a mammogram, or as I prefer to call them, “girlie s’more’s”. For resources and information, check out Pink-Link.org, a non-profit online resource for women with breast cancer, breast cancer survivors, and all of us who love them.

Back to the brew: As you know, many potential benefits are swirling in the pot of discussion regarding tea-drinking. In particular, an organic phytoestrogen known as Shatavari makes this tea of special interest to women. In the Ayurvedic tradition, Shatavari is called “curer of 100 diseases”. Well, actually, in Sanskrit, “Shatavari” means “she who possesses 100 husbands”, which, hmmmmm, sounds even more interesting, as long as I don’t have to wash all those socks. In any case, this relative of the asparagus plant has been valued in India for centuries as a women’s tonic, recommended to support healthy pregnancy and support a nursing mother’s lactation.

“Tea for Her” blends Shatavari with Organic Fennel (yummy licorice/anise-like flavor, and famously digestive) with a bouquet of Organic Lavender, Hibiscus and Chrysanthemum, suffused with the exquisiteness of Organic Rose-Petals. No caffeine. This is a Certified Organic and Fair Trade tea. A pleasing cup for anyone needing a lift, or just lovin’ some girl-power.

-Victoria Thomas

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Intention Through Tea

Art of Tea Partners with Cerra: an SC Johnson Company.

Los Angeles, CA (September 8, 2011) – Art of Tea is proud to announce their recent partnership with Cerra, an interactive web environment which focuses on experiential “moments” through meditation, self-reflection and daily rituals in order to restore balance within one’s everyday life.

Since its inception, Art of Tea CEO and Master Tea Blender, Steve Schwartz, has worked closely with the Cerra development team to create seven custom tea infusions – each one encompassing one of the seven specific “intentions” or “stepping stones” that accompany one’s journey of individual personal growth.

In addition to a complete line of teas, the Cerra experience offers a series of guided meditations, an interactive online community and a specialty boutique designed to personally enhance one’s experience within the website. .

Art of Tea is located in Los Angeles, CA and is a leading importer and wholesaler of organic and specialty teas in North America. In addition to some of LA’s finest resorts and restaurants, Art of Tea services hotels, cafes, spas and many other hot spots from the Hawaiian Islands to New York City, complete with staff training.

Art of Tea recently won “Buyer’s Choice” in the 2011 World Tea Expo for Best Blended Tea, “Amore” and Best Foodservice Iced Tea, “Petal Pedal”.

For more information about Art of Tea or to schedule an interview, log onto www.artoftea.com or email Linda Casul: linda@artoftea.com

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