Guarana Extract 1:1 | Paullinia cupana

Brazilian Paullinia Cupana Seed Extract

Paullinia cupana, commonly known as Guarana, is a climbing plant native to the Amazon basin in Brazil. The plant is valued for its fruit, which contains seeds with one of the highest natural caffeine concentrations found in any botanical source. A mature guarana fruit is roughly the size of a coffee berry, with a red shell encasing a black seed covered by a white aril. When the fruit opens, the exposed black seed with its white aril has a striking eye-like appearance, which features prominently in the origin myths of the Sater-Mawe people who first cultivated guarana in the Brazilian Amazon.

Phytochemical Profile

Guarana seeds contain caffeine bound to tannins, a combination that gives them a different release profile compared to the free caffeine found in coffee. The tannin binding means the caffeine is released more gradually during digestion. The seeds also contain theobromine (shared with cacao), theophylline (shared with tea), catechins, and saponins. The caffeine content of guarana seeds typically ranges from 3.6% to 5.8% by dry weight, roughly double that of coffee beans.

This 1:1 extract is alcohol-free, using a vegetable oil base. It is water-soluble and sugar-free. The oil-based extraction preserves the natural compound profile of the seed, including both the caffeine-tannin complexes and the secondary phytochemicals.

Bulk and Retail Options

Available in both compact retail sizes and larger wholesale volumes, this Guarana extract suits different business models from specialist smartshops to health food stores. Caffeine-containing botanicals are a consistently strong category. The alcohol-free format appeals to a broader customer base than alcohol-based tinctures. Complements the Energy Booster Tincture which also contains guarana alongside Siberian ginseng and rosemary. Store below 25°C, out of direct sunlight.