Cascara Coffee Cherry Tea: A Fresh Take on Coffee’s Fruit
What is Cascara?
When most people think of coffee, they think of roasted beans. But before those beans are roasted and brewed, they grow inside a vibrant fruit called a coffee cherry. Cascara is made from the dried skins of that fruit, brewed into a tea-like beverage that offers a completely different way to enjoy coffee.
The word cascara means “husk” in Spanish, and in the coffee world it refers to the outer layer of the coffee cherry left behind after the beans are removed. Rather than discarding this fruit, producers dry it and transform it into a light, flavorful infusion. While cascara coffee tea may feel like a recent trend, it has been enjoyed for generations in coffee-growing regions such as Yemen, Ethiopia, and parts of Latin America.
What Does Cascara Coffee Cherry Tea Taste Like?
Cascara doesn’t taste like coffee or traditional tea. Instead, it delivers a naturally fruity profile with notes that can include dried cherry, hibiscus, honey, or subtle florals. The flavor varies depending on origin and processing, but the cup is generally bright, smooth, and gently sweet, with no roasted bitterness.
How to Brew Cascara Coffee Cherry Tea
Cascara is easy to brew at home and can be enjoyed either hot or cold, depending on your mood.
For a hot cup, use 1–2 tablespoons of dried cascara per 12 ounces (1½ cups) of water, adjusting the amount to suit your taste. Place the cascara in a tea strainer or French press. Bring the water to a boil, then pour it directly over the cascara. Let it steep for 5–7 minutes, allowing the flavors to fully develop, then strain or press before pouring into your cup.
For a refreshing cold version, simply follow the same steps for hot brewing, then let the brewed cascara cool. Once cooled, place it in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
Cascara is wonderfully versatile, and you can highlight different flavor notes by adding a touch of sugar or honey, fresh orange slices, or warming spices like cinnamon or ginger.
For a French press brew, watch the video below!
Aloha Star 100% Kona Cascara Coffee Cherry Tea French Press Brew
Caffeine and Benefits
Cascara contains caffeine, but far less than a typical cup of coffee, making it a great option for those looking for a mild energy boost. It also contains antioxidants from the coffee fruit, which have drawn interest for their potential wellness benefits, though research is still developing.
A More Sustainable Cup
One of cascara’s greatest strengths is its sustainability. By using the coffee cherry instead of discarding it, more of the coffee plant is honored and put to use, reducing agricultural waste. This thoughtful approach encourages a more balanced relationship with the land, making better use of natural resources and supporting farming practices that are mindful of the entire harvest, not just the coffee bean.
Why Try Cascara?
Cascara offers a unique way to experience coffee beyond the bean. It’s light, refreshing, and rooted in tradition, while also reflecting modern efforts toward sustainability. Whether you’re a coffee lover looking for something new or a tea drinker curious about coffee’s fruit, cascara is a cup worth exploring.
Try one of our favorite cascara coffee cherry tea recipes below!
Cascara Coffee Cherry Tea with Ginger ale
Begin by bringing fresh water to a full boil (212°F). While the water heats, warm your teapot by rinsing it with hot water—this helps maintain a consistent brewing temperature.
Add 20 grams of dried cascara to the warmed teapot. Slowly pour in 400 grams of freshly boiled water, fully saturating the coffee cherry husks. Allow the cascara to steep for about 5-7 minutes, giving the flavors time to unfold.
Once steeped, strain the tea and pour it into your glass. Finish with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar, then top with ginger ale for a bright, refreshing twist on traditional cascara tea. Enjoy this unique blend of fruity, gently sweet, and sparkling flavors.
From Cherry to Cup
Cascara coffee cherry tea offers a simple yet meaningful way to experience coffee beyond the bean. From its naturally fruity, tea-like flavors to its thoughtful use of the whole coffee cherry, cascara invites a slower, more intentional approach to brewing and enjoying your cup. Whether served hot, chilled, or mixed into a sparkling recipe, it’s a versatile drink that connects the land, the harvest, and the moment—one sip at a time.
We invite you to taste our 100% Kona Cascara Coffee Cherry Tea!
