guarana cappuccino-history

What is guaraná?

The botanical name of Guaraná is Paullinia cupana .
Guaraná plant is a woody vine that climb the trees, reaching 10 metres in height. Thus, when cultivated in the open, it adopts a shrubby habit, growing to a maximum 2 to 3 metres in height.
It's cultivation dates to pre-columbian times. The indians, the first inhabitants of the Amazon, domesticated the guaraná plant. Botanists actually believe that the current plants, even those found in dense forests, are the remains of indigenous cultivation in the past. Guaraná was, amongst others, grown by the Maués and Andira tribes from the 'lower Amazon'.
The guaraná plant has divided compound leaves and flowers yellow panicles during the driest months of the year, the fruit ripening about two to three months later. The fruit is pear shaped, three sided, has three-celled capsules with thin partitions and in each a seed like a small horse-chestnut half enclosed in an aril. The seeds form a bunch. When ripe, the fruit is red, with some orange and yellow tones. The fruit then partially opens, showing part of the seeds. The fruit now looks like an eye and this appearance lead to legends told by the indians. At this stage the seeds are harvested, to prevent them from falling on the ground.
Harvesting is done by hand, after that the seeds should be stored in a heap in a shelter for two or three days to allow a slight fermentation. Following this, the shells are removed either by hand or machine and then left to dry in open air or dried artificially. Commercial guaraná is produced only from the seeds: all other parts of the fruit are discarded.
Further processing consists of roasting, after the seeds are sieved to be able to roast the seeds more uniformly. Roasting is done preferably in clay ovens for about four to five hours, until the seed reaches about 9% humidity. We have now roasted guaraná grain, also known as guaraná em rama.

Available forms
Guaraná is usually available in four forms:

Guaraná em rama, roasted guaranáSimply the roasted seed, as sold by the amazon farmers to cooperative unions, middlemen and industry.
Guaraná on a stickAfter roasting, the seed is ground into a powder, mixed with water into a dough, which is subsequently moulded onto a stick. These sticks are then dried over a moderate fire until they become hard.
Guaraná powderAfter grinding, the powder is sold. This is usually the form it is available in retail outlets, like health shops.
A fourth form, syrup, used for making soft drinks, is also gaining ground. This form is usually limited to larger industries.
Properties
Guaraná consists of a crystallizable principle, called guaranine, identical with caffeine, which exists in the seeds, united with tannic acid, catechutannic acid starch, and a greenish fixed oil.
From the tannin it contains it is useful for mild forms of leucorrhoea, diarrhoea, etc., but its chief use in Europe and America is for headache, especially if of a rheumatic nature. It is a gentle excitant and serviceable where the brain is irritated or depressed by mental exertion, or where there is fatigue or exhaustion from hot weather. It has the same chemical composition as caffeine, theine and cocaine, and the same physiological action. Its benefit is for nervous headache or the distress that accompanies menstruation, or exhaustion following dissipation. It is not recommended for chronic headache or in cases where it is not desirable to increase the temperature, or excite the heart or increase arterial tension. Dysuria often follows its administration. It is used by the Indians for bowel complaints, but is not indicated in cases of constipation or high blood pressure.
Uses
Sticks were initially used by Indians, who grated the stick using the sharp, rasp like, tongue of the Pirarucu fish. The grated powder was then mixed into a drink with water and sugar.
The sticks are also used by the Satarê-Mawé tribe and its descendants who use it to make moulded figures, which are a popular item with tourists.
The powder is widely available and can be mixed with water or fruit juice and some sugar in the same way.
In Europe, guaraná was first marketed as an alternative, medicinal plant from the Amazon, beneficial to the overall health and the powder for was (and still is) sold in health shops.
Some retailers promote it as an afrodisiac, however, there is not much evidence for this at the moment.
More recently, guaraná has been discovered as an alternative 'smart drug' in the house/rave scene and some (expensive) drinks have come on the market. These drinks bear, as far as I have experienced, no resemblance with the Brazilian style softdrink. Some see guaraná as 'mind expanding', but the only effect it has is similar to that of caffeine. A strong cup of coffee would probably provide more caffeine at a lower price.
Guaraná chewing gum is available, sometimes referred to as "Buzz Gum", adverstised as giving you extra energy.
Even guaraná cigarettes were seen, with a logo that resembles a hemp plant on the packet. This is a very strange use of guaraná and it is doubtful that it will have either the suggested 'mind altering' effect or be much beneficial to ones health. If someone does know more about this, please let me know.
The syrup is used for the manufacture of carbonated soft drinks, which are very popular in Brazil. It is usually one of the things Brazilians miss when they are abroad.This variety is what inspired these pages, so they might be slightly biased to the soft drinks.


For thousands of years, native Amazonians have used the seed extract of the guarana berry to help maintain stamina and physical endurance.
You too can tap the energy source of guarana to "rev up" your average day or dance your way past midnight at the parties and clubs.
This herbal tonic has also traditionally been used to assist in the relief of various ailments such as stress and nervous tension, weight control, headaches and hangovers, and even menstrual pain.
Guarana seed extract is great for maintaining stamina.

WHAT IS GUARANA?

Guarana is a natural herbal supplement and energy drink that will help you dance the night away.
The refreshing properties of this energy drink have been enshrined in the folklore and customs of ancient Amazon tribes and have been medically recognised in the 21st Century.
Guarana is the pure seed of the Paullinia Cupana vine - a climbing shrub found in isolated areas of the Amazon rainforest.
The seed is about the size of a pea, looks like a brown pebble and has a slightly bitter taste.
Guarana Naturale can be purchased in single serve sachets
When dried and ground to a powder, guarana is mixed into energy drinks.
When consumed in its natural state, guarana powder provides a synergetic delivery of many nutritional compounds and trace elements to pleasantly and beneficially affect your total body system.
Guarana Naturale and Guarana Active contain nothing but the 100% authentic guarana seed fibre... unlike the derivatives used in other energy drinks and food products.
Guarana Naturale pioneered the introduction of guarana to the Australian menu when it was approved as a food product in 1993. Guarana Active was listed on the Australian Register as a complementary health medicine in 1994.
Pure guarana seed is efficiently digested so that its nutritional compounds and trace elements are rapidly distributed to the metabolism, providing an energy boost with numerous health benefits.
For example, this herbal supplement has traditionally been used to assist in the relief of various ailments such as stress and nervous tension, weight control, headaches and hangovers, and even menstrual pain.
The effects of guarana alkaloids and compounds are not the same as in coffee and other caffeine products.
Pure guarana seed is a powerful substance and you only need a small serving to obtain optimum results.

"Don't take guarana if you want to sleep, but if you want to dance..."
... Elle magazine

Guarana vs coffee

A typical cup of strong coffee is prepared with 8 to 10 grams of ground coffee beans and contains about 310mg of caffeine plus other water soluble alkaloids and compounds.
A cup of coffee is really an extract and contains only the water soluble alkaloids that are found in the coffee bean.
A typical strong cup of guarana is prepared with only 3 to 4 grams of ground guarana seed and contains about 160mg of naturally occurring caffeine (as guaranine) plus other nutritional alkaloids and compounds found in the fibre of the seed.
These ingredients are released gently, giving you up to 5 hours of refreshing vitality.
No more than 3 to 4 grams of Guarana Naturale powder should be consumed at one sitting and guarana should not be used as a drink before intending to sleep.
Pure guarana powder is the ideal energy drink supplement to maintain stamina and ward off fatigue and tiredness. It is used by a broad cross-section of the community, including fatigue-sufferers, athletes and partygoers.
Guarana Naturale and Guarana Active are pure guarana powder and contain naturally occurring constituents which are common to tea, cola and cocoa.
These nutritional ingredients are released gently from the seed fibre.
Gauarana Naturale and Guarana Active are 100% NATURAL.

History

Guarana (Paullinia Cupana) has a long history of traditional use by the Amazonian Indians of South America.
The plant was discovered by the Maues-Sateres tribe and used as a general tonic. Guarana means "secret eyes" and was so named because the fruit resembles a human eye.
Guarana Paulina berries

The medical effects of pure guarana seed powder are well documented from both folklore and research in the 21st Century.
The stimulant effects of this rainforest plant were recognised in the western world during the late 1980s. As a result of observational studies, the beneficial effects of Guarana have become the subject of scientific research.
Anecdotal evidence suggests the supplementary benefits of this energy drink include relief of mild anxiety, stress and nervous tension, weight control, temporary relief from headaches, and relief from menstrual pain.
It's little wonder the Amazon Indians worshipped guarana as a "gift from the gods".

MEDICAL INFORMATION
Guarana Active
If guarana is used as an appetite suppressant for weight loss, it should be used in conjunction with a balanced low kilojoule/calorie diet.
People suffering cardiac disorders should exercise the same caution when using pure guarana seed as with other caffeine-based products such as tea, coffee and chocolate.
Guarana is generally regarded as safe by the US Federal Drug Authority (FDA) (GRAS 172.5100) (3,6).
Contra-IndicationsHypersensitivity to any component. Not recommended for children, pregnant and breast-feeding women.
Drug interactionsGuarana seed powder contains not less than 4% of the alkaloid caffeine (as guaranine) and therefore the general drug interaction for caffeine should be considered.
NoteThe calculations, tables and information contained on this web site only apply to 100% pure guarana seed powder Guarana Naturale© and Guarana Active©.
The data supplied does not apply to any other products containing guarana, either in powdered form, extract form or liquid extracts of guarana.
All calculations have been based on the mean averages for product specifications.


What is the most important information I should know about guarana?
Guarana, or its active constituent caffeine, should not be taken when formulated with ephedrine in diet aids or performance-enhancing supplements. Potentially fatal irregular heartbeats have been reported to occur.
Guarana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of guarana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
What is guarana?
The use of guarana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
Guarana is also known as Paullinia cupana, paullinia, Brazilian cocoa, guarana bread, guarana paste or gum, and zoom. Guarana is also present in some soft drinks imported from South America in a manner similar to American soft-drinks fortified with caffeine.
Guarana contains very high concentrations of caffeine and has been used as a stimulant and appetite suppressant.
Guarana has not been evaluated by the FDA for safety, effectiveness, or purity. All potential risks and/or advantages of guarana may not be known. Additionally, there are no regulated manufacturing standards in place for these compounds. There have been instances where herbal/health supplements have been sold which were contaminated with toxic metals or other drugs. Herbal/health supplements should be purchased from a reliable source to minimize the risk of contamination.
Guarana may also have uses other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take guarana?
Guarana, or its active constituent caffeine, should not be taken when formulated with ephedrine in diet aids or performance-enhancing supplements. Potentially fatal irregular heartbeats have been reported to occur.
Talk to your doctor or health care provider before taking guarana if you have
heart problems or high blood pressure,
kidney disease,
an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), or
an anxiety or nervous disorder.
Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine which may be problematic if used by people with any of the conditions listed above. You may not be able to use guarana, or your doctor or health care provider may recommend a lower dose or special monitoring.
Before taking guarana, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you have allergies (especially to plants), have any medical condition, or if you take other medicines or other herbal/health supplements. Guarana may not be recommended in some situations.
Do not take guarana without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine.

Do not take guarana without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine, which may cause restlessness, sleep disorders, and other effects in breast-feeding infants.
There is no information available regarding the use of guarana by children. Guarana contains a large amount of caffeine, which may cause anemia and other problems in children. Do not give any herbal/health supplement to a child without first talking to the child's doctor.
How should I take guarana?
The use of guarana in cultural and traditional settings may differ from concepts accepted by current Western medicine. When considering the use of herbal supplements, consultation with a primary health care professional is advisable. Additionally, consultation with a practitioner trained in the uses of herbal/health supplements may be beneficial, and coordination of treatment among all health care providers involved may be advantageous.
If you choose to take guarana, use it as directed on the package or as directed by your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
Standardized formulations of herbal/health supplements may provide a more reliable dose of the product.
Guarana is usually taken as a powder, mixed with water or another beverage.
Store guarana as directed on the package. In general, guarana should be protected from light and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
No information is available regarding a missed dose of guarana. Consult your doctor, pharmacist, or health care professional if you require further information.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a guarana overdose are not well known but might include painful urination, restlessness, tremor, vomiting, and abdominal spasms.
What should I avoid while taking guarana?
The amount of caffeine consumed in other products should be monitored while taking guarana.
There are no restrictions on food, beverages, or activity while taking guarana, unless otherwise directed by your health care provider.
What are the possible side effects of guarana?
Although rare, serious side effects from guarana have been reported. Stop taking guarana and seek emergency medical attention if you experience
a serious allergic reaction including difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives; or
irregular heartbeats or chest pain.
Other less serious side effects may also reported with the use of guarana. Talk to your doctor or health care provider if you experience
heartburn;
upset stomach;
loss of appetite;
constipation or diarrhea;
nervousness, irritability, or anxiety;
sleeplessness;
irregular heartbeats; or
headache.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

}

No longer do we choose from black tea to sip and black tea to ice. We’ve got green tea, white tea and tea in everything from carbonated beverages to ice cream. Antioxidants have also increased the popularity of chocolate — another popular source of natural caffeine — moving it from once-decadent dessert indulgence to guiltlessly healthy snack.
We must be in need even of more energy, because caffeine-laden “energy” drinks fill the coolers from grocery stores to gas stations. Many of these energy drinks are spiked with synthetic caffeine. Others use caffeine from decaffeinated coffee (which still is natural). But there’s another source of natural caffeine in the energy drinks hitting the market with force. It’s a special seed called guarana.
Guarana comes from the Paullinia cupana plant, a shrub or small tree native to Brazil. It’s a member of the family of shrubs called soapberry plants that thrive in the tropics. The name guarana is derived from the Tupi-Guarana word wara’ná. The indigenous Tupi and Guarana tribes believe it to be a magical plant that can cure g.i. complaints and aid in the recovery of strength and vitality.
Some of that “vitality” comes straight from caffeine: Gaurana seeds are 2.5 to 7 percent caffeine, compared to 1 to 2 percent in a coffee bean. The natural caffeine in guarana, often called guaranine, stimulates the central nervous system, and hence brings with it both perceived pluses and minuses of the more familiar drinks. Caffeine can quicken perceptions, aid endurance and reduce appetite. It can also increase blood pressure and heart rate, which can make you feel jittery, prevent sleep, and increase visits to the bathroom.
There is concern that gaurana, in combination with drugs or other caffeine-containing substances that target the sympathetic nervous system, may have additive effects on blood pressure. Conversely, there is interest in some of the potential positive aspects of this complex plant.
Guarana happens to be a rich source of tannins (up to 16 percent in the dry berries). Some tannins have earned a reputation as potential defensive components against DNA damage. Various tannins, such epigallocatechin-3-gallate from green tea, theafulvins and theaflavins from black tea and procyanidins from grape seeds are believed to be protective against certain forms of cancer.
An animal study recently published in the Journal of Food and Chemical Toxicology suggested guarana is protective against DNA damage induced in the liver. In this study, guarana appeared to protect against a specific type of DNA damage to liver, as long as the dosage was relatively low. Previous studies using much higher doses suggested guarana could be toxic and actually act as a potential mutagen, increasing risk of aberrant cells.
However, a 1998 animal study from Ireland, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacolocy, indicated that even at high doses, tissues remain unaltered. Furthermore, guarana, when supplied at low concentrations in water, inhibited lipid peroxidation. In other words, the science behind guarana indicates that, as with most compounds, a little can go a long way.
Another 1998 animal study indicated guarana may help protect against ulcers – at least for those who imbibe in alcoholic beverages. The research, reported in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology and conducted in Brazil (where guarana is native) revealed that guarana reduced lipid peroxidation, even in small doses. Lipid peroxidation has the potential to damage cell membranes. This may help to explain why guarana protected the animal models in the study from gastric ulceration induced by the administration of ethanol (and the drug indomethacin).
Other attributes of guarana have been highly touted. For example: Guarana is presented as a weight-loss aid. There are studies that suggest this, but none prove guarana to act in a manner any different from caffeine or other stimulants.
The big selling point of many guarana-containing products these days hinges on suggestions guarana may aid memory and slow down memory loss.
In 2004, a study published in the Journal Pharmacology, Biochemistry and Behavior, reported improved cognitive performance in human volunteers given guarana extract.
The study evaluated speed of attention, speed of memory, accuracy of attention, secondary memory and working memory. Other measures included logical reasoning and sentence verification. The results showed a significant positive effect on speed of attention, reaction times, and secondary memory (delayed word and picture recognition, and immediate and delayed word recall). The low dose of guarana in these experiments suggested the cognitive effects were due to more than the caffeine.
At present the food applications for guarana have been restricted to mostly soft drinks and energy drinks. It is a natural food with a long tradition in Brazil. But there are many questions about its use, mostly related to the amount of natural caffeine. Much study is needed to learn whether the other potential benefits come out from under the caffeine shadow. It’s not a miracle ingredient, or a quick weight-loss solution. Guarana is, however, a reasonable and marketable alternative to other ways of spiking energy drinks.




GUARANACOFFEE A perfect combination of, first grade Robusta coffee, fined sugar, Guarana extract powder, cappuccino and non-dairy creamer.


Guaraná is a creeping shrub native to the Amazon (and particularly the regions of Manaus and Parintins). In Brazil it is made into a popular cola drink known as Brazilian Cocoa which is used for energy and stimulation. Also used as a systemic cleanser, nervine tonic, anti-fatigue stimulant and is known to reduce hunger, relieve headaches including migraines, help alleviate PMS symptoms and has a reputation as an aphrodisiac.
Today, we added this wonderful ingredient into a cup of quality coffee for everyone. It's not only delicious but also very good for your health and makes you more energetic!