Cup of coca tea brewed with whole coca leaves on a traditional Andean textile

Coca Tea in Peru

coca tea in peru: benefits, history and the truth about altitude sickness

For many travelers arriving in Cusco, the first introduction to the Andes comes in the form of a small cup of hot tea. Hotels offer it at reception, guides suggest it during treks, and locals drink it throughout the day. The tea is mate de coca, commonly known in English as coca tea. For generations, coca tea has been part of daily life in the Andes. Visitors quickly hear that it helps with altitude sickness, boosts energy, and has been used by Andean cultures for centuries. All of that reflects part of the story. The reality is richer and more interesting, combining ancient cultural traditions, plant chemistry, and modern research on altitude physiology. Understanding coca tea means exploring how it has been used in the Andes for thousands of years and how it fits into the experience of traveling at high altitude today.

By Rashid PereiraMar 13, 2026

What Is Coca Tea?

Coca tea is an herbal infusion made from the leaves of the coca plant.

The preparation is simple. Dried coca leaves are placed in hot water and left to steep for several minutes, producing a pale green drink with a mild herbal aroma.

Glass mug of coca tea with whole coca leaves steeping in hot water — A clear glass mug filled with hot coca tea, where whole coca leaves steep slowly, placed on a colorful Andean-style tablecloth.

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In Peru, coca tea is commonly served in two ways:

Freshly brewed from whole coca leaves
Prepared with coca tea bags, especially in hotels and restaurants

Because coca tea is closely associated with high-altitude travel, it has become one of the most recognizable traditional drinks in Peru.

What Does Coca Tea Taste Like?

Travelers sometimes expect coca tea to taste strong or medicinal. In reality, the flavor is usually light and approachable.

Most people describe coca tea as:

Mildly herbal
Slightly grassy
Similar to green tea
Gently bitter with a smooth finish

The flavor is subtle enough that many people drink several cups during the day. Some add sugar or honey, although it is often served plain.

Coca Tea and Altitude Sickness

One of the most common questions travelers ask is whether coca tea helps with altitude sickness.

Altitude sickness, also called acute mountain sickness (AMS), can occur when people travel quickly to elevations above roughly 2,500 meters. The lower oxygen levels may cause symptoms such as headache, nausea, fatigue, dizziness and poor sleep.

Many visitors say coca tea makes them feel better during their first days in Cusco or other high-altitude destinations. A warm drink, combined with the plant’s mild stimulating properties, can create a sense of increased alertness and comfort.

Guide serving hot coca tea to hikers during a break in the Andes mountains — A trekking guide pours hot tea for hikers during a mountain break, with dramatic Andean peaks rising in the background. Photograph by Diego del Río

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However, modern research has not found clear evidence that coca tea prevents altitude sickness. Studies involving travelers in the Andes show that people who drink coca tea do not consistently experience fewer cases of AMS compared with those who do not.

Doctors who specialize in altitude medicine usually recommend several strategies that have stronger evidence:

Ascend gradually whenever possible
Allow time for acclimatization
Stay hydrated
Avoid heavy exertion on the first days at altitude
Consider preventive medication when recommended by a doctor

Coca tea can still be enjoyable and mildly energizing, but it should be viewed as a traditional beverage rather than a medical treatment for altitude illness.

The Coca Plant: Native to the Andes

Coca comes from plants belonging to the genus Erythroxylum, which grow naturally along the eastern slopes of the Andes and in nearby Amazonian regions.

Close-up of dried coca leaves used to prepare traditional coca tea in the Andes — A close-up view of dried coca leaves, the plant traditionally used across the Andes for chewing and preparing coca tea.

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For thousands of years, farmers cultivated coca in warm valleys and traded the leaves with communities living higher in the mountains. This exchange created a natural connection between ecological zones in Andean societies.

The leaves contain a complex mixture of plant compounds, including:

Alkaloids
Flavonoids
Essential oils
Polyphenols
Trace minerals

Among these compounds is cocaine, which often creates confusion outside South America. In natural coca leaves, cocaine appears in small concentrations alongside many other compounds. The coca leaf itself is very different from purified cocaine, which requires extensive chemical processing.

Coca in Ancient Andean Cultures

Coca has been used in the Andes for thousands of years, long before the rise of the Inca Empire.

By the time the Incas built their vast road network across the Andes, coca leaves were already deeply integrated into society.

They were commonly used in:

Religious ceremonies and offerings to mountain spirits
Agricultural work and long-distance travel
Social gatherings and negotiations
Rituals connected to land, mountains, and ancestors

Sharing coca leaves often symbolized respect and cooperation. The plant played an important role in maintaining social relationships within communities.

Even today, coca continues to appear in Andean rituals and traditional ceremonies.

People sharing coca leaves during a traditional Andean gathering — A group gathers around a cloth covered with coca leaves, sharing them as part of a traditional Andean social or ceremonial practice. Photograph by Christian DeClerq

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How Coca Was Traditionally Consumed

Historically, coca was most often consumed by chewing the leaves, not by drinking tea.

This practice, known as acullico or chaccado, involves holding a small bundle of leaves in the cheek and slowly chewing them while mixing in a small amount of alkaline material made from plant ash or minerals. The alkaline substance helps release the plant’s active compounds.

Chewing coca allows the effects of the leaf to develop slowly over time, which helped people sustain long hours of physical activity in mountainous environments.

Coca tea became more common later, especially as tourism increased and visitors looked for a simple way to experience coca.

Chemical Composition of Coca Leaves

Coca leaves contain more than a dozen natural alkaloids.

Some of the most notable include:

Cocaine
Ecgonine derivatives
Other minor alkaloids

When coca leaves are steeped in hot water, small amounts of these compounds dissolve into the infusion.

Because the concentrations remain low, the effects of coca tea are typically mild. Many people describe the experience as similar to drinking a light herbal stimulant.

Nutritional Content of Coca Leaves

Scientific analyses of coca leaves show measurable levels of several minerals, including calcium, iron, and phosphorus.

However, these measurements refer to the composition of the whole leaf when consumed in relatively large quantities.

When coca leaves are brewed as tea, only a small portion of those nutrients dissolves into the water. As a result, coca tea contributes very little to daily nutritional intake.

The importance of coca tea lies primarily in its cultural and traditional value rather than in vitamins or minerals.

Coca Tea and Drug Testing

One detail travelers sometimes overlook involves drug testing.

Because coca leaves naturally contain compounds related to cocaine, drinking coca tea can produce detectable traces of cocaine metabolites in urine tests.

For most travelers, this does not cause problems. However, individuals working in professions with strict drug testing policies, including aviation, transportation, mining, or competitive sports, may want to avoid coca tea during their trip.

Coca Tea in Modern Peru

Today, coca remains part of everyday life in many Andean communities.

Andean man holding coca leaves during a traditional ritual — An Andean man dressed in traditional clothing holds coca leaves during a cultural ritual in the highlands. Photograph by Christian DeClerq

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People use coca leaves during ceremonies, agricultural work, long journeys, and social gatherings. Sharing coca continues to symbolize hospitality and mutual respect.

For travelers, coca tea provides a simple introduction to this tradition. Hotels in Cusco, the Sacred Valley , and other high-altitude regions often serve it as a welcoming gesture to guests arriving from lower elevations.

During treks through the Andes, many guides also prepare coca tea as a warm and energizing drink.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coca Tea

Does coca tea help with altitude sickness?

Many travelers find coca tea comforting when they first arrive at high altitude, but scientific studies have not shown that it reliably prevents altitude sickness. Gradual acclimatization remains the most effective strategy.

Is coca tea legal in Peru?

Yes. Coca tea is legal in Peru and widely available in hotels, restaurants, and markets.

Can you bring coca tea home?

In many countries, coca products are restricted because international drug regulations classify coca leaves as controlled substances. Travelers should check the rules of their destination before attempting to transport coca tea.

Does coca tea contain cocaine?

Coca leaves naturally contain small amounts of cocaine-related compounds. When brewed as tea, tiny quantities dissolve into the drink.

Can coca tea make you fail a drug test?

Yes. Drinking coca tea can sometimes lead to positive results for cocaine metabolites in drug tests.

Coca Tea and the Experience of the Andes

Coca tea carries centuries of Andean tradition in a simple cup.

Long before travelers arrived in Cusco, coca leaves accompanied farmers, travelers, and communities living in one of the most dramatic mountain landscapes in the world. The plant helped people navigate long journeys, maintain social connections, and perform rituals honoring the mountains.

Today, coca tea continues to link visitors with that cultural history. The drink offers a mild herbal boost and a moment of connection with a tradition that has shaped life in the Andes for generations.

For many travelers exploring Peru, that first cup of coca tea becomes a quiet introduction to the mountains themselves.