Coffee in the morning is essential for many, but what about tea drinkers who might want to discover something other than green or black tea as a source of caffeine? The solution lies in coffee here too – well, almost. We'll explain exactly what that's all about here on our blog. Enjoy!
What is cascara and where does it come from?
Cascara means "peel" in Spanish. And that's exactly what it is. Cascara is the peel of the coffee cherry. Anyone who thinks this is a modern invention to make coffee production more sustainable is mistaken. In Yemen and Ethiopia, the peel was enjoyed under the name "Qishr" even before the coffee beans. Cascara was only rediscovered in our part of the world a few years ago and has since become popular for its fruity flavor with notes of hibiscus, rosehip, and cherry. The subtle caffeine kick makes it a genuine alternative to green or black tea.
Is cascara healthy?
Yes! Just like coffee, cascara is rich in antioxidants, which help protect our cells from free radicals in the air, food, and environment. It is also anti-inflammatory and good for the immune system. The low caffeine content of approximately 25-100 milligrams per cup (depending on preparation) compared to coffee means it doesn't cause nervousness or palpitations in even the most sensitive individuals.
Is cascara sustainable?
Yes, of course – that's why many people believe cascara is a new invention. Cascara is the skin of the coffee cherry and, theoretically, a waste product of coffee production. However, the skin is dried to create our traditional, trendy beverage, minimizing the ecological footprint of coffee production and providing coffee farmers with an additional source of income.
Why was cascara banned in the EU?
Cascara was never actually banned in the EU; it simply wasn't approved as a safe food and therefore couldn't be sold. This was due to its classification as a "novel food." This term refers to foods that weren't consumed to a significant degree in the EU before May 15, 1997. These foods were subject to a comprehensive safety assessment before they could be sold in Europe. This assessment included gathering extensive data in the form of studies, and cascara was ultimately approved in 2020. A prerequisite for approval is clear labeling to ensure safe dosage. Authorities had concerns because high consumption of cascara cherries can have a laxative effect. Cascara was also briefly confused with an herbal medicine called "Cascara," which is made from the bark of the buckthorn tree. The bark is toxic in its raw state.
How is cascara prepared?
Cascara is prepared like loose-leaf tea. Take a tea bag or tea infuser and fill it with 10-12 grams of cascara. Pour 200-250 ml of hot (not boiling!) water over it and let it steep for 5-7 minutes. You can sweeten it with honey or lemon, just like any other tea.
A tip for hot days:
You can also enjoy Cacsara cold! Prepare it as described and chill it in the refrigerator. Then, garnish it with cinnamon sticks, orange, and aronia berries. Serve in a tall glass with a glass straw. It tastes great, is super healthy, and looks fantastic.
Conclusion:
Cascara not only tastes delicious, is a gentle pick-me-up, healthy, and totally on trend – it also effectively combats food waste and supports small farmers, allowing them to build a second source of income. We believe that cascara shouldn't just be enjoyed by tea drinkers, but should also be tried as an alternative by every true coffee lover. Delicious, healthy, and sustainable. Have you ever tried cascara? And if so, what did you think?
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Cascara - The traditional trendy drink
Coffee in the morning is essential for many, but what about tea drinkers who might want to discover something other than green or black tea as a source of caffeine? The solution lies in coffee here too – well, almost. We'll explain exactly what that's all about here on our blog. Enjoy!
What is cascara and where does it come from?
Cascara means "peel" in Spanish. And that's exactly what it is. Cascara is the peel of the coffee cherry. Anyone who thinks this is a modern invention to make coffee production more sustainable is mistaken. In Yemen and Ethiopia, the peel was enjoyed under the name "Qishr" even before the coffee beans. Cascara was only rediscovered in our part of the world a few years ago and has since become popular for its fruity flavor with notes of hibiscus, rosehip, and cherry. The subtle caffeine kick makes it a genuine alternative to green or black tea.
Is cascara healthy?
Yes! Just like coffee, cascara is rich in antioxidants, which help protect our cells from free radicals in the air, food, and environment. It is also anti-inflammatory and good for the immune system. The low caffeine content of approximately 25-100 milligrams per cup (depending on preparation) compared to coffee means it doesn't cause nervousness or palpitations in even the most sensitive individuals.
Is cascara sustainable?
Yes, of course – that's why many people believe cascara is a new invention. Cascara is the skin of the coffee cherry and, theoretically, a waste product of coffee production. However, the skin is dried to create our traditional, trendy beverage, minimizing the ecological footprint of coffee production and providing coffee farmers with an additional source of income.
Why was cascara banned in the EU?
Cascara was never actually banned in the EU; it simply wasn't approved as a safe food and therefore couldn't be sold. This was due to its classification as a "novel food." This term refers to foods that weren't consumed to a significant degree in the EU before May 15, 1997. These foods were subject to a comprehensive safety assessment before they could be sold in Europe. This assessment included gathering extensive data in the form of studies, and cascara was ultimately approved in 2020. A prerequisite for approval is clear labeling to ensure safe dosage. Authorities had concerns because high consumption of cascara cherries can have a laxative effect. Cascara was also briefly confused with an herbal medicine called "Cascara," which is made from the bark of the buckthorn tree. The bark is toxic in its raw state.
How is cascara prepared?
Cascara is prepared like loose-leaf tea. Take a tea bag or tea infuser and fill it with 10-12 grams of cascara. Pour 200-250 ml of hot (not boiling!) water over it and let it steep for 5-7 minutes. You can sweeten it with honey or lemon, just like any other tea.
A tip for hot days:
You can also enjoy Cacsara cold! Prepare it as described and chill it in the refrigerator. Then, garnish it with cinnamon sticks, orange, and aronia berries. Serve in a tall glass with a glass straw. It tastes great, is super healthy, and looks fantastic.
Conclusion:
Cascara not only tastes delicious, is a gentle pick-me-up, healthy, and totally on trend – it also effectively combats food waste and supports small farmers, allowing them to build a second source of income. We believe that cascara shouldn't just be enjoyed by tea drinkers, but should also be tried as an alternative by every true coffee lover. Delicious, healthy, and sustainable. Have you ever tried cascara? And if so, what did you think?
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team