Runa Guayusa Was Discontinued — Where to Find Guayusa Today
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Looking for Runa Guayusa? If you have been searching for Runa tea or energy drinks and cannot find them, there is a simple reason: the Runa brand and its products were discontinued in 2024.
That does not mean guayusa disappeared. Guayusa is still grown in Ecuador and is available from independent companies such as Upina.
What happened to Runa?
Runa helped introduce many North American customers to guayusa through ready-to-drink energy beverages and tea products. In January 2024, beverage industry publication BevNET reported that Vita Coco had discontinued the Runa brand and all of its products.
Read the BevNET report about Runa’s discontinuation →
Guayusa itself is still here
Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is a naturally caffeinated leaf native to the upper Amazon region of Ecuador. It has a smooth, earthy flavour and has traditionally been prepared as a morning drink in Amazonian communities.
Upina is an independent Canadian guayusa company. We are not affiliated with Runa or Vita Coco. We source certified Organic and Fairtrade loose-leaf guayusa from Ecuador and ship from Canada.
If you liked Runa, try loose-leaf guayusa
If Runa was your introduction to guayusa, loose leaf is one of the simplest ways to continue drinking the plant itself. Unlike a canned energy drink, loose-leaf guayusa lets you control the strength, serving size and flavour.
You can brew it hot like tea, make a stronger morning cup, or prepare it as an iced or cold-brew drink.
What does guayusa taste like?
Guayusa has a naturally smooth, earthy character and is generally less bitter or astringent than many traditional teas. It works well on its own, with lemon or honey, or brewed strong and poured over ice.
How much caffeine is in guayusa?
Guayusa naturally contains caffeine, but the amount in a finished cup depends on the leaf, serving size, water temperature and steeping time. For that reason, we prefer not to give a single universal caffeine number for every cup.
Read our guide to guayusa and caffeine →
Where can I buy guayusa now?
Upina sells loose-leaf guayusa in several sizes:
- 4 oz / 113 g — an easy way to try guayusa
- 1 lb — our everyday size
- 5 lb — includes free shipping to Canada and the USA
- 10 lb — our bulk size
Orders ship from Canada, and we serve customers in both Canada and the United States.
Where to buy guayusa in the USA →
Where to buy guayusa in Canada →
Keeping the guayusa ritual alive
Runa played an important role in introducing guayusa to a much wider audience. While that brand is gone, the plant, its Ecuadorian origin and the ritual around drinking it continue.
At Upina, our focus is simple: high-quality loose-leaf guayusa, fair sourcing, and helping more people discover a different kind of caffeinated morning drink.