Coca Tea
Yes. There Really Is Cocaine in Coca Tea
Coca Tea is an herbal tea that is made from the leaves of the coca plant. Interestingly, another substance that is derived from this particular plant is cocaine. The cocaine is found in the alkaloids of the coca plant’s leaves, but there is less than .2 percent of the cocaine alkaloid in each leaf. That means it would take more than 500 grams (over one pound) of coca leaves to make even one gram of the drug.
The coca plant is found in the Andes Mountains of South America, and is most plentiful in the Country of Peru. Also known as mate de coca, Coca Tea is known for its qualities as a stimulant. Regular users say it provides an energy boost close to what you get from drinking coffee.
Now you’re probably wondering how a tea that contains an illegal drug can be legally sold is the United States. The cocaine found in the coca leaves can be removed, similar to the process of decaffeinating coffee. Although the process does leave a small residue of cocaine on the coca leaves, it is minute enough to make the substance legal for sale.
Coca tea is generally sold as dried, crushed leaves in tea bags, but it can also be purchased in leaf form. The tea can be made as an infusion by pouring boiling water over the actual leaves, or it can be made with a tea bag soaked in boiling or very hot water. Most serious tea drinkers agree that an infused tea is stronger than one made with tea bags. Strength can also be adjusted by the length of time the tea leaves or bags are left steeping in the water.
In comparison with other types of herb tea, coca tea is generally yellowish in color with a taste not unlike that found in green tea. This tea made from the coca plant is said to have a bit more natural sweetness that green tea.
Because of its stimulant content, this particular type of tea is frequently used in the same way people use energy drinks. It can also be consumed in the morning in place of coffee, as it has less caffeine with the same type of increase in energy.
This is an ancient tea, and it has been used by indigenous tribes living in the Andes Mountains for thousands of generations. Coca’s medicinal qualities include: aiding the absorption of oxygen into the bloodstream, alleviation of altitude sickness and help with digestive problems. Along with drinking the tea made from the coca plant, some tribes also chew the coca plant leaves directly for its healing properties.
You won’t generally find coca tea on the shelves of your local grocery store, but it is available online. Coca flour is a similar product, but it is made from the powdered leaves of the coca plant. This can be brewed in a coffee maker for a more robust, stronger tea.