Runa Offers Clean Energy to Start Your Day
If you need a morning pick-me-up and you’re not much of a coffee drinker, Runa’s guayusa herbal teas are an excellent alternative. Runa means “fully alive” or “fully living human being” in the indigenous Kichwa language of the Ecuadorian Amazon.
Guayusa is the Amazonian cousin of yerba maté, a plant native to the Atlantic Rainforest in and around Argentina. Guayusa provides similar health benefits to yerba maté, but without the bitter taste. It is silky and clean with a sweet finish.
Guayusa has as much caffeine as a cup of coffee, but twice the antioxidants of green tea. It’s also much less likely to cause the nervousness and jitters that some people get when drinking coffee.
The Ginger Citrus and Cinnamon Lemongrass Runa teas are my favorites. I love their fruity flavor and the energy boost they provide, since I’m really not a morning person and I hate the taste of coffee. I tried the tea bags, but Ginger Citrus and Cinnamon Lemongrass are also available in tins of loose leaf tea if this is your preferred brewing method.
Runa teas are kosher and certified organic. The Non-GMO Project verified Runa teas as non-GMO in September 2013.
From a social perspective, you’ll be happy to hear that Runa earned a Fair Trade certification from Fair Trade USA in February 2012. Runa teas help improve the lives of over 2,000 indigenous Amazon farmers. The company plants over 150,000 trees per year and invests over $20,000 per year in community development efforts through the Runa Foundation.
Visit the Runa website to learn more or to find a store that sells Runa teas near you.
Disclaimer: Product samples were provided by the manufacturer for the purpose of preparing this review.
Photo credit: Runa
