Soursop Tea UK: Taste, Caffeine, How to Brew & Where to Buy
Soursop tea is one of the most searched tropical teas in the UK, yet many people aren't sure what it actually is. Is it made from the fruit or the leaves? Does it taste sour? Does it have caffeine? And where can you buy it in the UK? This simple guide answers all of it.
What is soursop?
Soursop (Annona muricata) is a tropical fruit with spiky green skin and soft, creamy white flesh. It grows across the Caribbean, Central America and northern South America, and is also known as graviola or guanábana. Despite the name, ripe soursop isn't very sour: its flavour is often described as a mix of pineapple, strawberry and banana with a creamy, citrusy finish.
The two types of soursop tea
When people in the UK search for "soursop tea", they usually mean one of two different drinks:
Soursop leaf tea (graviola tea) – made from the dried leaves of the soursop tree. It is a herbal infusion, naturally caffeine-free, with a mild, grassy, slightly floral taste.
Soursop-flavoured tea – a tea blend (usually green or black tea) flavoured with the tropical taste of the soursop fruit. This is fruity, sweet-smelling and refreshing, and contains caffeine from the tea base.
Our Bahamian Soursop Tea belongs to the second group: a light Chinese green tea blended with mango pieces and orange blossom petals, finished with natural soursop flavouring.
What does soursop tea taste like?
Soursop leaf tea brews a pale straw colour and tastes gentle and earthy, somewhere between green tea and chamomile. Brewed for too long it can turn grassy.
Lovaré Bahamian Soursop tastes tropical and fruity: soft green tea, juicy mango, a sweet creamy soursop note and a light floral finish from orange blossom. It is delicious hot and even better iced.
Does soursop tea have caffeine?
It depends on the type. Pure soursop leaf tea is caffeine-free. Soursop-flavoured green or black tea does contain caffeine, because the tea leaves themselves contain it. Our Bahamian Soursop is green-tea based, so it has a moderate amount of caffeine – usually less than a cup of black tea or coffee. For a full comparison, read our guide Does Lovaré Tea Have Caffeine?
How to brew soursop tea
Hot
Use 1 pyramid or 1–2 teaspoons of loose tea per 200ml cup.
Let the boiled water cool to 80–85°C (around 3 minutes after boiling). Water that is too hot makes green tea bitter.
Steep for 2–4 minutes, then remove the pyramid or strain.
Iced (our favourite)
Brew 2 pyramids or 3 teaspoons in 200ml of hot water for 4 minutes.
Pour over a glass full of ice and add a slice of lime.
Add a little honey or agave if you like it sweeter.
For soursop leaf tea, use 2–3 dried leaves per mug of just-boiled water and steep covered for 5–10 minutes.
New to loose tea? Our How to Brew Loose Leaf Tea guide covers everything from water temperature to how many times you can re-steep.
What is Bahamian soursop?
Soursop grows widely in the Bahamas and across the Caribbean, where the fruit is used in juices, ice cream and drinks, and the leaves are traditionally brewed as a "bush tea". Our Bahamian Soursop blend is inspired by those island flavours: sunshine, ripe tropical fruit and a fresh, floral breeze in your cup.
Soursop tea benefits: what can be said?
You will find many health claims about soursop online. In the UK, there are no authorised health claims for soursop, and it should never be used to treat or prevent any illness. What we can say is that it is a tasty, vegan, low-calorie drink when served without sugar, and a lovely alternative to sugary soft drinks, especially iced.
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or plan to drink soursop leaf tea regularly in large amounts, speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
Looking for other caffeine-free options? Explore our Herbal Tea Guide UK.
Where to buy soursop tea in the UK
Soursop leaf tea is mostly sold by specialist herbal and Caribbean shops, and it is rarely found on supermarket shelves. If you want a fruity soursop tea that is easy to brew, you can order ours online with fast UK delivery:
Orders are dispatched within 1 working day, with free UK delivery on orders over £30.
Soursop tea FAQ
Is soursop tea the same as graviola tea?
Graviola tea is another name for soursop leaf tea. Soursop-flavoured tea, like our Bahamian Soursop, is a different drink made with real tea leaves and soursop flavouring.
Can I drink soursop tea at night?
Soursop leaf tea is caffeine-free, so it suits the evening. Our Bahamian Soursop contains green tea caffeine, so it is best enjoyed in the morning or afternoon.
Is Lovaré Bahamian Soursop vegan?
Yes, it is suitable for vegans.
What goes well with soursop tea?
Try it with coconut cake, fresh mango or pineapple, or simply over ice with lime on a warm day.
Does soursop tea taste sour?
No. Ripe soursop is sweet and creamy, and soursop tea tastes fruity and tropical rather than sour.
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