Herbal tea, also referred to as tisane, is created by infusing hot water with flowers, fruit, leaves, seeds, roots, spices, or herbs. These beverages are almost always caffeine-free, and since herbal tea is brewed with botanicals and hot water, the varieties are almost endless.
Guava leaf tea is one of those herbal varieties. The leaves of the guava plant, native to central America and southern Mexico, have been and continue to be used to make tisane in many countries. Unlike many other types of tea that are brewed and enjoyed for the taste, guava leaf tea is used more as a dietary supplement.
The Common Guava
Psidium guajava, also referred to as the common guava, is the shrub that guava leaves are harvested from. Classified as an evergreen, this beautiful plant also produces a sweet fruit whose skin can range in color from yellow to light green.
The inside of the fruit can range in color from a vibrant pink color to a deeper shade of red. This tasty fruit has often been described as a cross between a strawberry and a pear.
From its native lands, the plant has spread to other parts of the world including America, Australia, China, southeast Asia, and parts of Africa. As of 2020, India has become the top producer of this topical plant.
The leaves
Guava leaves are wide, oval shaped, and often described as having a leathery texture. The brilliant, bright green leaves also have visible white veins running through them. When fully matured, they can reach anywhere from 7-15 cm long and 3-5 cm wide.
Interestingly, these leaves belong to the same family as eucalyptus, allspice, and clove. Even though the fruit produced on the common guava plant are delicious and flavorful, the leaves have a very mild herby and slightly bitter taste when brewed as tea. When crushed, however, the leaves give off a strong guava fruit aroma.
Brewing Guava Leaf Tea & Variations
Whether you’re preparing a cup of tea with a tea bag or using loose-leaf, guava tea is easy to brew. With only a few steps, it can easily be done in place of your morning coffee or for a late-night beverage. It can also be enjoyed as a cold, refreshing beverage.
Tea Bags
In as few as three steps, guava tea bags can brew a piping hot cup of tea.
- Boil some water for the tea. For the best results, spring water is recommended.
- While waiting for the water to boil, place one tea bag into a mug. Once the water has come to a boil, pour some over the tea bag and into the mug.
- Cover the mug with something to keep the hot moisture inside the mug (like a small plate or saucer). Leave the mug covered and steep the tea bag for 5-7 minutes. After the time is up, remove the cover, take out the tea bag, and enjoy!
- If desired, a small amount of flavor enhancers and sweeteners can be added before taking your first sips. Some common additions include honey, maple syrup, and cinnamon sticks.
Loose-Leaf
In just six steps (the seventh being optional), a larger batch of guava tea can be brewed from whole dried guava leaves. The only equipment needed is a pot, strainer, serving container, a mug to sip the freshly brewed tea out of, and a large mason jar to store and refrigerate leftover tea.
- Measure out six cups of fresh spring water and place it into the pot.
- Breaking the large leaves into smaller leaf pieces, measure out 1 ½ cups of torn leaves and place them into the pot with the water.
- Bring the mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover the pot with a lid, and continue to cook the leaves for 15 minutes.
- After the leaves have cooked, remove the pot from the stove and allow the tea to cool for 5-10 minutes.
- Remove the lid from the pot, strain out the leaves, and pour the tea into the serving container.
- From here, the tea can be poured into your mug.
- For some additional flavor and sweetness, rose water, orange blossom water, or any preferred sweetener can be added to either the serving container or in each mug before enjoying.
Iced Guava Tea
The process of making iced guava tea is similar to the steps of making hot guava tea. The only difference is, when it is time to pour the freshy brewed tea into your mug, it’s poured into a glass filled with ice. There are also various flavor and sweeteners that can be added to taste. Some of these include:
- Agave syrup
- Lemon juice
- Liquid Stevia
Appearance & Taste
A freshly brewed cup of guava tea has a slightly greenish-brownish tint to it. Unlike more traditional teas, guava tea has a very mild taste. So, unless there are other flavors or sweeteners added to the mug, the tea tastes more like plain water.
Nutritional Values & Supplemental Use
Guava leaf tea is naturally caffeine-free. In an 8 oz cup, which is the recommended serving size, there are zero calories, proteins, and fats.
Despite the bland taste and low nutritional value, this type of tisane has been used as a home remedy for various aliments for years across many countries. For example, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese cultures have relied on this herbal tea to help with issues such as high blood sugar and upset stomachs.
Guava Leaf Tea
The bright green leaves of the common guava plant are used to make this herbal tea, or tisane. Native to the Caribbean, Central America, and South America, the plant has spread all over the globe due to its use for medicinal purposes.
With a mild flavor comparable to that of water, it is often brewed and enjoyed with additives for more flavor and sweetness. Guava tea is also enjoyed as both a hot beverage and a thirst-quenching iced tea.
