Something that has just begun to appear on people’s radar is something called cascara. Many people are asking what it is, where it comes from, and how it’s used. Fortunately, we have some of those answers and are willing to do a deep dive into the whole subject. So, if you’ve ever wondered what cascara was, then stick around and we’ll provide you with all of the answers you need.
What Is Cascara?
Quite simply, cascara is what the skin of the coffee cherry is commonly called. Usually, this husk is sold as a waste product or turned back into the soil and used as a fertilizer. However, in some parts of the world, it’s used to make tasty drinks such as Qishr or Sultana. It’s a product that’s named after the Spanish word for “skin.”
What Cascara Isn’t?
When buying cascara, however, the consumer should be very cautious. That’s because there is a product known as Cascara Sagrada (Rhamnus Purhiana) that is sold as a tea that used as a laxative. You sure don’t want to mix up these two products, and that’s for sure.
Making Cascara Tea
The next thing that we’d like to discuss in this article is how to make cascara tea. Anyone who has had cascara tea knows of its pleasantly fruity, and sometimes spicy, the flavor that makes for a mild tea with about a quarter of the caffeine that coffee has. Below are the instructions for making this wonderful tea using something that you might already have on hand—your French press.
Equipment Needed:
- French Press
- A Chopstick
- A Hot Water Kettle
- A Glass
Ingredients Needed:
- Hot Water (4-Cups)
- Cascara (64-Grams)
- Ice
Directions:
Step One: Heat Up The Water
In your favorite tea kettle, place 4-cups of water and place it on your stove’s burner. When it reaches a rolling boil, remove it from the heat and allow it to sit for 30-seconds. This will lower the temperature of the water from 212-degrees Fahrenheit to 200-degrees Fahrenheit—which is the perfect temperature for this brew.
Step Two: Load Up The French Press
While the water is heating, add 64-grams, or about 5 tablespoons of cascara to your French press.
Step Three: Add The Water & Steep
Once the water has reached the proper temperature, pour it into the French press. Give the mixture a gentle stir with your chopstick, and then allow it to steep for approximately 4 to 5-minutes.
Step Four: Press The Tea
After the four minutes have elapsed, give the mixture another stir with your chopstick. Place on the lid and then begin to slowly compress the plunger until it has reached the bottom of the canister. Be sure to move slowly and take your time.
Step Five: Serve And Enjoy
In a glass, place some ice and then pour your cascara tea over it. Any leftover cascara tea can be placed into a separate jar with a lid and stored in the fridge for up to 48-hours. If you desire, you can add syrups or sweeteners to this tea so that it better suits your tastes, but many people just drink it as it is.
