Guarana
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| Guaraná | ||||||||||||||
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| Missing image Guarana.jpg Guaraná fruit | ||||||||||||||
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Guarana or Guaraná (pronounced gwa-ra-'naa), Paullinia cupana (syn. P. crysan, P. sorbilis), is a shrub or small tree in the Sapindaceae, native to Venezuela and northern Brazil, known for the high stimulant content of the fruit. The name 'Guaraná' comes from the Guarani tribe that lives in Brazil. Guaraná plays a very important role in their culture, as this plant is believed to be magical, a cure for bowel complaints and a way to regain strength. They also tell the myth of a 'Divine Child', that was killed by a serpent and whose eyes gave birth to this plant.
Uses
The Guaraná plant contains guaranine, a caffeine-like substance, and so acts as a stimulant. Like many caffeine-containing plants, it is used for drinks; a kind of carbonated soft drink that is made from the Guaraná berry is known as "Guaraná". There are a number of different brands quality in comparison with South American brands of Guarana; many of them tasting nothing like traditional Guarana. It would do a wise consumer well to purchase a South American brand of Guarana, preferably of Brazilian origin. All these drinks are fizzy and sweet, and with a taste compared by some to bubble gum or Sprite, with a very fruity aftertaste. Most Guaraná is produced in Brazil and consumed either in Brazil or in nearby countries, such as Paraguay. There are a number of other drinks containing the Guarana berry available for purchase worldwide. Most of them are not called Guarana, and do not taste like the Guarana drinks mentioned above. Some people see guarana as an aphrodisiac.
Guarana is found in many popular energy drinks including Bawls and Sobe. It's also an ingredient of Vores Øl the first fully creative commons beer.
External link
- guarana.com (http://www.guarana.com/)sv:Guarana
de:Guaraná fr:Guaraná he:גוארנה nl:Guarana ja:ガラナ pl:Guarana pt:Guaraná