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| Guarana |
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The guarana, Paullinia cupana, is a plant of the Sapindaceae familiy, native to Amazonia.
In the 60’s, it has been successfully introduced in other parts of Brazil.
Today, the guarana production exceeds 4.000 tons. It is found mainly in three regions: Amazonas, Mato Grosso and Bahia.
Less than 500 tons are now produced in Amazonas, of which half in the municipality of Mauès, located 300 kms from Manaus. Mauès is one of the historical cradles of the guarana culture. The seeds of guarana are indeed a traditional food for the Indians of this area. Their use was described the first time by a Portuguese Jesuit in 1669.
Mato Grosso produces a lower amount: maximum 300 tons; other Brazilian States, less than 200 tons.
The leader for 20 years has been Bahia with more than 3.000 tons, that is to say approximately 75% of the Brazilian production. The good acclimation of the plant and the strongest yields obtained in Bahia explain the decline of the guarana of Amazonia. The municipality of Tapéroa in Bahia is from now the world capital of guarana.
Guarana growing is a family activity bringing resources to about 30.000 people in Brazil.
In Bahia the harvest begins in January and ends in March. Drying process is either natural, or artificial. The quality of the guarana provided by producers is very heterogeneous because of an insufficient formation and a lack of professionalism by some purchasers. |
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Vitaspice has a buying center very near the town of Tapéroa, in a small area which concentrates more than 50% of the world guarana production. We are one of the very few Brazilian exporters to buy directly from the source. So, we are able to build privileged partnerships with the best producers in order to offer to our customers the guarana they are waiting for.
We propose a guarana premium with a very small level of impurity, a moisture lower than 10% and a caffeine content among the best of Bahia.
We also offer a “white” guarana, which gives a powder less dark than the usual guarana.
The steam treatment of our guarana seeds ensures them high microbiological standards.
Because of our policy of selection, the quality of our guarana is higher than that of grades T1 and T2 usually met on the market. The storage period of our products is above the average. |
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Brazil produces more than 95% of the world guarana. There is a small production in Venezuela. Nearly 80% of the crop goes into the internal market, principally to the sodas industries.
Approximately 800 tons (90% originated from Bahia) are exported each year, mainly towards Japan, the United States and Europe. The export share increases regularly because of the success met by guarana.
In 2008, the price of seeds on the international market exceeded the 9.000 USD/t. Since, because of important availabilities, prices have dropped.
Guarana is the plant having the highest caffeine content in the world. It also contains theobromine and other substances having therapeutic properties. It is used in an increasing way in energy drinks, in slim and reinvigorating products. |
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© 2009 . All rights reserved to Vitaspice, Exporter of Spices, Cocoa and Coffee.
Forbidden the copy of any part of this web site without authorization. |
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