Did you know that it is perfectly legal to purchase tea leaves that are from the coca plant (same thing they process to make cocaine)?

Living high up in the Andes mountains of Ecuador, I recently discovered this secret. Here the coca plant isn’t used so much for it’s hallucinogenic purposes as for it’s true medicinal purposes. It is largely used to help overcome the fatigue and other sicknesses that result from living at such high altitudes. For centuries the people of this region have chewed the leaves of this plant to help them cope with mountain living.

Naturally, the first time we were offered “Te de Coca” we laughed and couldn’t believe it. Our kids thought we were partaking in some horrible drug activity. The tea itself tastes pretty much like any other tea and we didn’t really notice any of the affects they promised (increased energy, etc.).

Of course, I had to go Google it when we got home and it turns out there is so little of the chemical they extract for drug use in the tea that it is perfectly safe and normal. You can even buy it in the US through Amazon.com. Coca Tea at Amazon.com (although it’s a TON cheaper here!)

How’s that for useless information! :)