What is Coca? How and Why You Should Try It

There is an ongoing debate among travelers whether you can or should take coca home with you…. Yeah, that coca. Coca leaf products are plentiful in Peru and other Andean countries and it isn’t addictive when consumed in its natural form. You can chew the leaves, drink coca tea, and enjoy coca-leaf candies without creating any form of dependence on it.

Coca leaves have been cultivated in parts of the Andes Mountains for thousands of years. During the Inca reign, coca was viewed as having a divine origin and as such couldn’t be consumed by all classes of society. However, today it’s popular with many Peruvians (as it is with other Andean people). It’s used in religious ceremonies and coca is consumed as a mild stimulant, known for its healing properties. It suppresses pain, fatigue, hunger, and can help weary travelers overcome altitude sickness.

If you want to learn more about the coca leaf, check out the Coca Museum in Cusco (in the San Blas District). Here’s what we learned. [pagebreak]

How to Try It

Most local people chew the leaves, though many travelers find it an acquired taste. Give it a try yourself but do so under the guidance of somebody who can teach you how to do it properly. Locals will add a tiny bit of llipta (a mix of lime and amaranth or quinoa), which diminishes the sharp flavor of the leaves and activates the alkaloids. You can find coca leaves at markets sold from big bags.

Coca Tea

Also called mate de coca, the herbal tea is popular among travelers; some feel it helps alleviate their headache or other symptoms of altitude sickness, while others simply like its mildly bitter flavor. You can buy coca leaves at markets and submerge them in hot water, or buy coca-leaf tea bags in grocery stores.

Sweet Treats

Their are a number of sweet treats made with coca leaves. Not only will you find hard candies and toffees, but also energy bars and biscuits manufactured with coca leaves. They won’t help you as coca tea may, since the candy contains too little coca but you can enjoy the flavor nonetheless. You can find the candies in shops and markets, as well as in the Coca Museum in the San Blas District of Cusco.

Other Products

You may have to search for them as these products are less common, but they are out there for you to try: coca leaf powder to add to your smoothie, juice, or yogurt; coca flour, and coca liquor.