Cascara: Corberosa's Cherry on Top

By Tony Gudkov

At Corberosa, we believe that coffee is more than a drink—coffee is a plant with a wholly personal story. Since 2018, we have expressed this belief with a small-batch, air roasting technique that preserves the individuality of the 12 single origins we roast. Today, we are taking this philosophy one step further.

Cascara Tea is a naturally sweet, lightly caffeinated (25-50% of a standard drip serving) infusion made from the dry husks of the coffee cherry—the fruit that protects our beloved beans. On most coffee farms, the cherry pulp surrounding beans is discarded during processing and used as compost, at best.

Cascara Offerings: 5 Count Tea Bags and 3oz Loose Leaf

Lucky for us, coffee-growing communities around the world have been making the most of Cascara for centuries. Traditionally, these sun-dried peels are brewed into a tea with notes of dried fruit, hibiscus, and rose hips.

Fresh Brewed "Coffee Tea"

Our Cascara brings a new Central American name and flavor into our lineup. While our medium roast Honduras boasts bright stone fruit and smooth caramel, these cherries raised in Nicaragua’s rich volcanic soil add an aged nuance, offering layers of raisin, tamarind, and thick molasses that compliment Cascara’s essential dried cherry and floral aromas.

Brewed hot, you’ll experience a gentle tang and earthy sweetness. Chilled, it is a truly stand-alone iced tea option, becoming both smooth and jammy, akin to a spiced fruit compote. By bringing Cascara to customers, we hope to further our zero-waste mission while celebrating the full expression of the coffee plant.

Stop by our booth on the corner of Higuera and Garden at the San Luis Obispo Farmers Market this Thursday or visit our site to try it for yourself. We’ll be serving cups, selling loose leaf, and sharing more about how this humble cherry peel is redefining the way we drink coffee.