Guarana is an evergreen, vine-like tropical plant that grows in the
Amazon rainforest. The berry-like fruits of the plant have been used for
centuries by various indigenous peoples, most notably the Guarani tribe
for whom the species is named. Guarana is also the subject of local
legends because the fruit eventually splits open, revealing a black seed
and taking on the appearance of a human eyeball.
Because of the similarity in flavor and aroma to chocolate or cocoa,
guarana is also known as Brazilian cocoa and Brazilian chocolate. Be
aware, however, that guarana seed contains caffeine that exceeds coffee
by 1.5 to 3 times in concentration. In fact, the seed is the highest,
naturally occurring source of caffeine known.
