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The Botanical Journal

What is Guarana?

Paullinia cupana · the Amazon’s slow-burn berry
2 min read Ritual Sharp

Guarana (Paullinia cupana) is a climbing plant from the Amazon whose small red berries are one of nature’s richest sources of caffeine. Unlike coffee, it releases that caffeine slowly, a steady lift that lasts for hours, without the sharp spike and crash.

Born in the Amazon

Deep in the Amazon, indigenous peoples discovered that this tiny red berry held more energy than anything else in the forest. Unlike coffee, which hits all at once, Guarana releases gradually, a slow burn measured in hours, not minutes.

The lift without the crash. The focus without the jitters.

Guarana, Paullinia cupana, the Amazonian berry
Paullinia cupana, the Guarana berry, as we use it in Ritual Sharp.

Honouring the peoples of the Amazon

Guarana’s story begins with the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, the Sateré-Mawé, who first cultivated it, and the Guaraní, whose name it still carries. Everything the world knows about Guarana today rests on their knowledge, and we share it with respect and gratitude.

What Guarana feels like

Steady. Sustained energy with a level head: no spike, no 3pm collapse. Paired with L-Theanine in Ritual Sharp, it becomes clean, easy focus rather than a raw caffeine hit.

No spike. No 3pm collapse. Just a level head, for hours.

What’s inside Guarana

Guarana’s energy is caffeine. It just carries more of it, by weight, than a coffee bean. Natural tannins in the berry slow how quickly that caffeine is released, which is why the lift lasts and lands gently.

CaffeineTannins

Is Guarana safe?

Guarana is a natural source of caffeine, and Ritual Sharp contains roughly 100 mg of caffeine per sachet, a little more than a small coffee.

A note on wellbeing

If you are sensitive to caffeine, keep an eye on your total daily intake. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before use. Guarana is a botanical enjoyed for everyday wellbeing. It is not a medicine, and nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition.

Meet Guarana in a glass

Ritual Sharp

15ml sachetLime & ginger10 per cylinder

In Ritual Sharp, Guarana is the engine, paired with L-Theanine so the focus is steady, not wired. About 100mg of slow-release, plant-based caffeine in a 15ml sachet that blooms into colour when it meets water.

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Guarana, quickly

What is Guarana used for?

Guarana is used as a natural source of energy and focus. Because its caffeine is released slowly, it’s valued for a steady lift that lasts for hours rather than a quick spike and crash.

Does Guarana contain caffeine?

Yes. Guarana is one of nature’s richest sources of caffeine. It releases it slowly thanks to natural tannins in the berry. Ritual Sharp contains roughly 100mg of caffeine per sachet.

Is Guarana better than coffee?

Guarana releases its caffeine more slowly than coffee, which many people find gives a steadier lift with less of a spike and crash. It’s a different feel rather than strictly “better.”

Is Guarana safe?

In moderate amounts Guarana is well tolerated by most adults. As it contains caffeine, keep an eye on your total daily intake if you are caffeine-sensitive. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your doctor before use.

Where does Guarana come from?

Guarana is native to the Amazon basin. It was first cultivated by the Sateré-Mawé people, and its name comes from the Guaraní, the indigenous peoples who are the original custodians of this knowledge.