Guarana

An Amazonian climber with eye-like fruits – its seeds contain more caffeine than coffee and gave their name to Brazilians’ favourite soft drink.

Guarana is a woody climber of the soapberry family that climbs trees in the forest but takes the form of a spreading shrub on plantations. It has large, compound leaves and clusters of small flowers that develop into red capsules. When these split open they reveal black seeds partly wrapped in a white aril, which makes them look like human eyes. The seeds contain up to about 6% caffeine – far more than coffee beans – and have been used as a stimulant for centuries.

Significance in the country

The first guarana growers were the Sateré-Mawé people of the Maués area, who say the plant grew from the eyes of a dead child. The sweet, fizzy guaraná drink, produced industrially since 1921, is one of the most popular drinks in Brazil, and the powdered seeds are added to energy drinks.

Where it grows

Wild in the forests of the central Amazon; traditionally grown around Maués in the state of Amazonas, while today most plantations are in southern Bahia (the Baixo Sul region).

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